COVID-19: Impact of stricter measures on the council's services

^{Content updated on 7 October 2020 in line with even stricter measures.} 

The Health Minister confirmed this weekend New regulations on restrictions for gatherings and school activities, which provide for stricter measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. These regulations came into force at midnight on the night of 5 October and at midnight on the night of 7 October, and are valid until 19 October. 

The town's organisational structure and services will remain unchanged. 

The organisational structure and services of the City of Hafnarfjörður will remain unchanged, despite these tightened measures, and all actions, now as before, are aimed at maintaining daily operations as much as possible and ensuring that the activities and services that must remain uninterrupted at all levels are upheld. The maximum number of people who may gather is now 20, and all relevant municipal activities are being adjusted accordingly. A strong emphasis continues to be placed on infection control in all locations, 2-metre social distancing (from 7 October), and the use of bubbles where applicable. The Emergency Management Team of Hafnarfjörður is in operation and meets regularly while the emergency and alert levels of the civil defence for the Covid-19 pandemic are in effect.

Emphasis on responding by phone, via chat, email and Facebook

The customer service centre and service centres are open during their usual opening hours, but the emphasis is on handling matters via digital channels while the tightened public health measures are in place. The helpdesk will be closed from 12-13 from 7th October onwards.  Customers are encouraged to send an email to hafnarfjordur@hafnarfjordur.is, chat with staff via online chat on www.hafnarfjordur.is, submit a suggestion via the suggestion portal or call 585-5500 to minimise shared circulation, limit traffic and ensure everyone's safety.  Emphasis is placed on remote working; segregation has been reintroduced in support and professional services, and some staff are carrying out their duties remotely.

Information on the impact of stricter measures from 5 October on the council's services 

• Child protection – There is no change to the child protection service in Hafnarfjörður.
• Hafnarfjörður Library – The Hafnarfjörður City Museums will be closed from 8 October to 19 October, and all events have been postponed or cancelled.
• Hafnarfjörður Museum of Local History – The Hafnarfjörður City Museums will be closed from 8 October to 19 October, and all events have been postponed or cancelled.
• Day care Day care at Hrafnista is open, as is day care at Drafnarhús and Sólvangur. Restrictions are in place on visitors to the facilities, except for service users.
• Social activities for senior citizens – Social activities for senior citizens are open, but registration is required in all cases to enable us to comply with capacity and distancing restrictions.  Currently on offer are crafts, darts, painting and billiards, while other events have been postponed. Restrictions are in place on visitors to the premises, except for service users. Wearing a face covering is mandatory. 
• The Rock Leisure Club – operations are fully operational. Staff and service users are divided into infection control groups with segregation and appropriate limits on numbers and proximity.
• Primary schools – No restrictions apply to children born in 2005 and later, but only to older individuals. For these individuals, a 20-person maximum rule applies in schools, as well as a one-metre social distancing requirement. The same applies to after-school activities, sports and leisure activities for nursery and primary school children. Adult access to schools is restricted, and parents are asked to observe the 2-metre social distancing rule and wear a face covering if a visit to the school is necessary.
• Port city – The Hafnarfjörður City Museums will be closed from 8 October to 19 October, and all events have been postponed or cancelled.
• Hafnarfjörður Harbour – emphasis is placed on keeping port areas open for vessel arrivals and services as far as possible to ensure the country's attractiveness. The harbour office and weighbridge are open to essential traffic.
• Pre-schools – No restrictions apply to children born in 2005 and later, but only to older individuals. The 20-person maximum rule and the one-metre social distancing restriction apply to these individuals. The same applies to youth work, sports and leisure activities for nursery and primary school children. Adult access to nurseries is restricted, and parents are asked to observe the 2-metre social distancing rule and wear a face covering when dropping off and collecting their children.
• Like – a safe haven for individuals with mental health difficulties. Operations are unaffected. 
• Meal service for senior citizens – Meals on Wheels is available for those who are unable to cook for themselves for short or long periods. Meals are delivered every day of the year. The senior citizens' canteen at Hjallabraut 33 and the canteen at Sólvangsvegur 1 are open, but registration is required to meet capacity and distance restrictions.
• Waste collection – The refuse collection operates according to a schedule.
• Support services for older people – There has been a slight change to home care services for those with a registered service and who request it. Measures are in place aimed at preventing isolation.
• The council's swimming pools and sports centres – all swimming pools will be closed to the public from Wednesday, 7th October until 19th October, or until further notice. 
• Work and activity-oriented support services for disabled people – Activity-based support for disabled people is maintained on all weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm, but evening services are cancelled. Staff and service users are divided into infection control bubbles with appropriate limits on numbers and proximity.
• Events and promotional meetings. All events organised by the municipality have been postponed, and this also includes events at cultural institutions. If any events are held on or before 19 October, they will be held online. 

Detailed information can be found on the council's page on the impact of Covid on its operations. 

On the web www.covid.is provides the public with up-to-date and accurate information on the Covid-19 pandemic. Experts from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer regularly update the „Frequently Asked Questions“ page on the site, and visitors are directed to this sub-page if they have any questions.

Let's avoid the crowds and keep our group small!
We are together on the Covid-19 watch!