COVID-19: Stricter public health measures

The Minister of Health has agreed to the recommendations of the Director of Public Health for stricter social gathering restrictions in the capital region, which came into effect from midnight on 7 October. The gathering restrictions introduced the day before yesterday remain in place elsewhere in the country. These restrictions will remain in effect until 19 October.

The capital region refers to Reykjavík, Seltjarnarnes, Mosfellsbær, Kjósarhreppur, the town of Hafnarfjörður, Garðabær and Kópavogur.

Stricter restrictions include the following:

• Proximity limit 2 metres: The proximity limit will be 2 metres. This also applies in all schools, with the exception of children born in 2005 and later.
• Services requiring physical contact or close proximity: Activities and services that require physical contact, or where there is a risk of contact between people or close proximity, are not permitted. This applies to, for example, hairdressing salons, beauty salons, massage parlours, tattoo studios and other similar activities. The above does not, however, apply to healthcare professionals providing healthcare services, but in such cases, the use of face masks is mandatory.
• Shops: Shoppers will be required to wear face coverings if it is not possible to maintain a distance of at least 2 metres between people who are not in close contact.
• Swimming and bathing places: Swimming pools and bathing facilities will be closed.
• Indoor sports and physical exercise are prohibited: Fitness, sports and similar activities that require contact, or where there is a risk of contact between people or close proximity, or where the use of shared equipment may pose a risk of infection, are not permitted indoors.
• Outdoor sports: Outdoor sports are permitted, but spectators at outdoor sporting events must not exceed 20 per area. Spectators must wear a face covering and sit in marked seats.
• Performing arts: At events such as theatres, cinemas, concerts, etc., the maximum number of guests is 20. All guests must wear a face covering and sit in marked seats.
• Restaurants: Restaurants that are permitted to remain open (pubs and nightclubs must be closed) must not remain open later than 21:00.

Children born in 2005 and later:

• School swimming: Despite the closure of swimming venues, school swimming for children born in 2005 and later is permitted to continue.
• Sporting and youth activities and leisure activities for children born in 2005 and later are permitted.
• Competitions: Competitions for children born in 2005 and later where there is a risk of mixing groups beyond normal training are not permitted.
• Proximity and age limits: As before, proximity and age limits do not apply to children born in 2005 and later.

See the announcement on the Stjórnarráðs website.