List of High-Risk COVID-19 Countries Gets Much Longer

The definition of high-risk COVID-19 countries or areas has been reassessed in Iceland, mbl.is reports. In addition to basing the definition on the 14-day incidence per 100,000 inhabitants, authorities will now base it on the rate of positive coronavirus tests in a given country at a given time.

In essence, this means that the number of countries defined as high-risk areas increases substantially. As a result, travelers from many more countries than before will be required to quarantine at a quarantine facility or hotel when they arrive in Iceland. The new list of high-risk countries can be viewed here .

The new rules will take effect tomorrow, May 7.

Passengers arriving from countries where the incidence rate is 700 or more must, without exception, quarantine at a quarantine facility or hotel. The same is true for passengers who arrive from countries with an incidence rate of 500-699 and a positive test rate of 5 percent or more. The same applies if information regarding the positive test rate is unavailable.

If the incidence rate is 500-699 and the positive test rate under five percent, then passengers may apply for an exemption from a stay at a quarantine facility. They must demonstrate that their own accommodation fulfills the requirement of quarantine. The same goes for passengers from countries where the incidence rate is under 500 and the positive test rate is five percent or higher, or information on the latter rate unavailable. Such an application must have been received at least two days prior to arrival.

As before, passengers able to present a COVID-19 vaccination or antibody certificate only need to be tested once for the coronavirus upon arrival. They must follow quarantine rules while awaiting the result of their test.

Starting May 10, only passengers from Greenland and the Faroe Islands will be exempt from all the above requirements. Passengers from Greenland already are exempt from the rules.