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20. Mar 2021Prime Ministers Office, Public Safety and Security, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

A small volcanic eruption has started in Iceland

At approximately 20.45 last night lava began flowing from a rupture in the ground around Fagradalsfjall near the fishing town of Grindavík on the Reykjanes peninsula. The eruption is considered to be small and due to its location, there is no threat to any populated areas or critical infrastructure. A few roads in the vicinity of the eruption have been closed and people are advised to stay away from valleys and other places near the fissure where toxic gases can accumulate.

16. Mar 2021Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Prime Ministers Office, Foreign Affairs, Life and Health, Covid-19, Tourism, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Exemption from border measures for vaccinated individuals to be extended to non-Schengen countries

The Icelandic government has announced that all those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to travel to Iceland without being subject to border measures, such as testing and quarantine. Until now, this exemption has only applied to those presenting certificates from the EU/EEA Area but will now apply equally to everyone who can provide proof of a full vaccination with a vaccine that has been certified for use by the European Medical Agency as well as requirements defined by the Chief Epidemiologist of Iceland and Icelandic regulations. The exemption also applies to those who can provide valid proof of prior infection. Documentation on prior infections must be in accordance with the requirements defined by the Chief Epidemiologist.

16. Mar 2021Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Prime Ministers Office, Foreign Affairs, Life and Health, Covid-19, Tourism, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Exemption from border measures for vaccinated individuals to be extended to non-Schengen countries

The Icelandic government has announced that all those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to travel to Iceland without being subject to border measures, such as testing and quarantine. Until now, this exemption has only applied to those presenting certificates from the EU/EEA Area but will now apply equally to everyone who can provide proof of a full vaccination with a vaccine that has been certified for use by the European Medical Agency as well as requirements defined by the Chief Epidemiologist of Iceland and Icelandic regulations. The exemption also applies to those who can provide valid proof of prior infection. Documentation on prior infections must be in accordance with the requirements defined by the Chief Epidemiologist.

04. Mar 2021Public Safety and Security, Prime Ministers Office, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Possible volcanic activity in southwest Iceland

Following a series of earthquakes, a volcanic tremor pulse was detected south of Mt Keilir, in the Reykjanes Peninsula, yesterday afternoon. The area is in southwest Iceland, about 20km (12.5 miles) from Keflavik International Airport and about 15km (less than 10 miles) from the Reykjavík metropolitan area. Such a tremor pulse is a strong indicator of intrusive magma movements that could lead to an imminent volcanic eruption. However, no eruption has been confirmed, but the area is being monitored closely.

23. Feb 2021Ministry of Education and Children, Ministry of Health, Prime Ministers Office, Education, Covid-19, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Significant easing of domestic restrictions in Iceland to take effect tomorrow

The Government of Iceland announced today new loosening on COVID-19 measures. The general limit on gatherings will be raised from 20 to 50, with ongoing emphasis on distancing and other personal precautions. As of tomorrow, a general limit of 150 people within confined areas will apply to higher level schooling, including universities.

16. Feb 2021Ministry of Health, Prime Ministers Office, Transport and Telecommunications, Covid-19, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Travelers required to present negative PCR test before boarding

New border measures will come into force on February 19 which requires all arriving passengers in Iceland to present a negative PCR taken within 72 hours of their time of departure to Iceland. This is in addition to the current system of double screening, that also requires all arriving passengers to submit to a PCR test upon arrival, followed by a 5-day quarantine and a second PCR test. Those who provide valid proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19 are not required to provide a PCR-test prior to boarding and are also exempt from screening and quarantine measures at the border. The same applies to those who can provide proof of prior infection.

16. Feb 2021Ministry of Health, Prime Ministers Office, Transport and Telecommunications, Covid-19, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Travelers required to present negative PCR test before boarding

New border measures will come into force on February 19 which requires all arriving passengers in Iceland to present a negative PCR taken within 72 hours of their time of departure to Iceland. This is in addition to the current system of double screening, that also requires all arriving passengers to submit to a PCR test upon arrival, followed by a 5-day quarantine and a second PCR test. Those who provide valid proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19 are not required to provide a PCR-test prior to boarding and are also exempt from screening and quarantine measures at the border. The same applies to those who can provide proof of prior infection.

18. Jan 2021Prime Ministers Office, Equality, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Iceland hosts first activist led conference against gender-based violence in over 25 years

The Government of Iceland and city of Reykjavik will host the Reykjavik Dialogue and Conference, on August 16th-18th 2021. This three-day event will be the first conference led by international activists and survivors of gender-based violence since the Brighton conference in 1996 which was inspired by the 1976 International Tribunal on Crimes against Women.

15. Jan 2021Ministry of Health, Prime Ministers Office, Foreign Affairs, Life and Health, Public Safety and Security, Transport and Telecommunications, Covid-19, Tourism, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Covid-19 screening mandatory for arriving passengers until spring

As of today, all passengers must undergo a PCR test upon arrival in Iceland, followed by a 5–6-day quarantine and a second screening at the end of quarantine period. This procedure will remain in place until 1 May, when cautious steps will be taken to ease restrictions, based on the epidemiological situation at passenger's point of departure. This was decided at today's cabinet meeting.

15. Jan 2021Ministry of Health, Prime Ministers Office, Foreign Affairs, Life and Health, Public Safety and Security, Transport and Telecommunications, Covid-19, Tourism, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Covid-19 screening mandatory for arriving passengers until spring

As of today, all passengers must undergo a PCR test upon arrival in Iceland, followed by a 5–6-day quarantine and a second screening at the end of quarantine period. This procedure will remain in place until 1 May, when cautious steps will be taken to ease restrictions, based on the epidemiological situation at passenger's point of departure. This was decided at today's cabinet meeting.

18. Dec 2020Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate, Prime Ministers Office, Climate Change, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Iceland announces enhanced ambition at Climate Ambition Summit

Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland, announced on 12 December that Iceland would enhance its ambition in emissions cuts. The announcement came at the Climate Ambition Summit, convened by the United Nations, United Kingdom, and France, in partnership with Chile and Italy, at the 5th Anniversary of the landmark Paris Agreement.

21. Nov 2020Transport and Telecommunications, Covid-19, Tourism, Prime Ministers Office, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Border measures to be reviewed by 15 January

The Icelandic Government has announced that current border measures to limit the influx of COVID-19 infections will remain mostly unchanged until 1 February next year. As of 10 December, arriving passengers who have already recovered from a COVID-19 infection will exempt from border measures if they can provide proof of prior infection. Further decisions on border measures will be made no later than 15 January 2021.

20. Nov 2020Covid-19, Economic affairs and public finances, Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing, Ministry of Infrastructure, Prime Ministers Office, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs

Resilience: strengthening Iceland’s foothold – Resilience subsidies and support for job-seekers, old-age pensioners, families with children, and vulnerable groups

The Government has decided to pay a special supplement over and above basic unemployment benefits next year, so as to support the large group of people whose income-linked unemployment benefits will expire in the next few months. The 2.5% supplement will be paid in addition to the 3.6% increase provided for in the 2021 fiscal budget proposal. With these increases, which total 6.2%, basic unemployment benefits will equal ISK 307,403 per month.

28. Sep 2020Prime Ministers Office, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate, Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Ministry of the Environment٫ Energy and Climate

Declaration of Intent on Funds for the Maintenance of Sustainable Development

Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland, together with parties constituting the majority of the Icelandic financial market have signed a declaration of intent on the use of funds to maintain sustainable development while bearing in mind Iceland's international obligations and the standards set by the Icelandic government.

11. Sep 2020Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Human Rights and Equality, Equality, Prime Ministers Office

Call for action - International Equal Pay Day, 18 September

International Equal Pay Day will be celebrated for the first time this 18 September. On the occasion of this event the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC), of which Iceland is a member, hosts a virtual global event and Call to Action to encourage all labour market actors to take the necessary steps to ensure that equal pay is at the heart of recovery efforts worldwide.

18. Aug 2020Ministry of Health, Prime Ministers Office, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

New rules on quarantine, isolation and screening at the border

Passengers arriving in Iceland on and after 19 August 2020 may choose either to submit to two screening tests for COVID-19, separated by five days’ quarantine until the results of the second test are known, or else not to undergo border screening but instead to spend 14 days in quarantine after arrival. The ministerial regulation announcing this takes effect as from midnight on 18 August. The requirement regarding quarantine and/or testing applies to all people who have spent more than 24 hours during the past 14 days in locations that are defined as potential infection risk areas; at present, this means all countries.…

14. Aug 2020Ministry of Health, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Infrastructure, Prime Ministers Office, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Public Safety and Security, Covid-19, Life and Health

Double border screening for all arriving passengers

The Government of Iceland has decided to impose more comprehensive border-screening measures as of 19 August. All arriving passengers must choose between a 14-day quarantine and a double testing procedure along with a quarantine for 5-6 days.

23. Jun 2020Climate Change, Environment Climate and Nature Protection, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Infrastructure, Prime Ministers Office, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education and Children, Ministry of the Environment٫ Energy and Climate

New Climate Action Plan - Iceland will fulfil its commitments and more

Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister of Finance Bjarni Benediktsson and Minister of Transport and Local Government Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson presented the second version of the Climate Action Plan today.

12. May 2020Ministry of Health, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Infrastructure, Prime Ministers Office, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Testing for international arrivals could start in June

The Government of Iceland has today announced it is expected to start easing restrictions on international arrivals no later than 15 June 2020, while from 15 May some professionals arriving in Iceland including scientists, filmmakers and athletes will eligible for a modified quarantine. The exact details of the revisions for business travellers and tourists will be decided by the Government’s multisector working group, however it is expected they will give travelers the choice between a test for the virus on arrival or a two-week quarantine. ​

12. May 2020Ministry of Health, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Infrastructure, Prime Ministers Office, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Testing for international arrivals could start in June

The Government of Iceland has today announced it is expected to start easing restrictions on international arrivals no later than 15 June 2020, while from 15 May some professionals arriving in Iceland including scientists, filmmakers and athletes will eligible for a modified quarantine. The exact details of the revisions for business travellers and tourists will be decided by the Government’s multisector working group, however it is expected they will give travelers the choice between a test for the virus on arrival or a two-week quarantine. ​

28. Apr 2020Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing, Prime Ministers Office, Covid-19, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs

Government of Iceland announces increased support for companies and extension of part-time unemployment benefits

Icelandic companies that have suffered substantial revenue losses due to the COVID-19 crisis will be given the opportunity to apply for government support to pay a portion of salary costs during the employee notice period, protecting workers’ rights and preventing a wave of corporate insolvencies.

22. Mar 2020Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Prime Ministers Office, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Stricter measures enforced in Iceland: Ban on gatherings of more than 20 people

The Icelandic government has announced a ban on gatherings of 20 people or more, starting Tuesday 24 March 2020. These measures are put in place to halt the spread of COVID-19 infections in Iceland, following recommendations from the Chief Epidemiologist to Svandís Svavarsdóttir Icelands‘s Minister of Health. The advice of the Chief Epidemiologist to the Minister of Health has been to focus the response in Iceland on the swift diagnosis of COVID-19 cases.