Civil Contingencies Emergency Level due to COVID-19
The National Commissioner of Police, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer, has declared a state of emergency for Civil Contingencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic began, a Civil Contingencies emergency has been declared for COVID-19 on three occasions: 6 March 2020, 4 October 2020 and 24 March 2021.
The National Commissioner of Police, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer, has declared a state of emergency for Civil Contingencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic began, a Civil Contingencies emergency has been declared for COVID-19 on three occasions: 6 March 2020, 4 October 2020 and 24 March 2021.
Despite the current situation with the pandemic, brighter times are ahead and there is undoubtedly a light at the end of the tunnel. It will all begin with the solidarity that is our best weapon. The Chief Medical Officer and the Civil Defence believe that if society pulls together, slows down, and reduces social contact as much as possible, this will be a temporary situation, and that with the coming of spring, the nation can live with far fewer restrictions on gatherings than are currently in place.
Since the Omicron variant of the coronavirus was first detected here in early December 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic has been growing significantly. Social restrictions were tightened on 23 December, but despite these measures, the number of daily domestic infections has not been brought down significantly, currently standing at 1,000-1,200. In addition, there has been a significant increase in infections among those tested daily at the border. The situation is therefore serious and is worsening day by day. Landspítalinn was moved to emergency status on 28 December, and the Medical Director's assessment is that the situation will soon worsen even further at more healthcare institutions; both due to an increase in patients with COVID-19 and an increase in staff in isolation. If forecasts for the number of COVID-19 admissions are correct, a rapid increase in admissions can be expected in the near future.
In light of the above, the National Police Commissioner considers it appropriate to declare a State of Emergency. This activates the response plans of companies and institutions for the uninterrupted operation of their core services at the highest level. This does not have a general impact on the public but is primarily aimed at those companies, institutions and responders who have a role to play in the emergency response plan of the civil defence and the Medical Officer of Health. The Director of Public Health, Civil Defence, and the steering group for the COVID-19 project will continue to monitor the development of the epidemic and make decisions based on its progression.
Public Health Emergency Period for COVID-19
- 6 March 2020 – 25 May 2020
- 4 October 2020 – 12 February 2021
- 24 March 2021 – 12 May 2021
Impact on the town's services
Hafnarfjörður implements the appropriate response level in line with current circumstances and takes the necessary measures to prioritise projects and protect the core services of the municipality, in order to maintain socially essential services and operations. All actions taken by the municipality are aimed at ensuring the safety of residents and staff, with a focus on the services that must remain uninterrupted at all response levels. There are around 70 municipal facilities in Hafnarfjörður. The managers of schools, households and institutions have activated their response plans in line with the response levels and taken coordinated action in accordance with the recommendations and guidelines of the Chief Medical Officer, the Director of Public Health, and the Civil Defence.
See information about the services of the City of Hafnarfjörður at the moment.