Relaxations and moderation methodology decided at a cabinet meeting

The Health Minister has agreed to the Chief Medical Officer's proposals for relaxations to the current rules, which were discussed at a Cabinet meeting this morning. It is proposed that they come into effect on Saturday, 28 August, and include full capacity in swimming pools and for fitness activities instead of the current 75%, with the number of participants increased to 200 people at sports training sessions and competitions and in the performing arts, the one-metre rule will be dropped for spectators at seated events, catering will be permitted during breaks, and the maximum number of guests allowed in restaurants will increase from 100 to 200 per room.

See the announcement on the website of the Cabinet Office. – photograph: Golli 

The implementation of the Chief Medical Officer's proposals will be worked on in the coming days, allowing for up to 500 people in a bubble at seated events, with no distancing requirements for rapid tests. This implementation will be carried out in close consultation with the organisers of large events.

Quarantine rules were changed this week with the aim of making them less restrictive, and rules on self-testing have been introduced, while the rules on rapid tests have been updated.

Taming the spread of infection appears to be the most desirable and responsible way to gradually bring Icelandic society out of the state of emergency caused by Covid-19. This involves that instead of suppressing the infection with harsh measures or allowing the virus to spread unchecked through the community, the aim is to implement measures and actions that slow the spread of the virus. This approach is largely in line with the recommendations of the Director of Public Health on the future framework for public health measures in Iceland. The aim is for the mitigation strategy to be in place for a limited time, unless there are serious changes to the nature of the pandemic, for example, due to new variants. Suppressing transmission involves taking steps towards further reopening, but spreading the pressure from illness over a longer period than if measures were lifted all at once.

At meetings of the government with a diverse group of experts and stakeholders, strong views have been expressed about the importance of keeping society running and keeping restrictions to a minimum, in light of the fact that vaccination provides good protection against serious illness. A memorandum from the Director of Public Health to the Minister of Health states that the risk of infection among the unvaccinated is double that of the vaccinated. Similarly, the likelihood of hospitalisation is four times higher for the unvaccinated compared to the vaccinated, and the likelihood of admission to intensive care is six to seven times higher. It can therefore be stated that widespread vaccination in this country has reduced the spread but, in particular, has prevented the serious consequences of Covid-19.

Obviously, the situation with the pandemic and any new data and information that emerges will continue to be taken into account in all decisions. However, the broad aim is to implement measures that slow the spread of the virus when necessary, but society needs to adapt to living with it. the virus without it having too much of an impact on daily life.

The Minister of Health has taken extensive measures to strengthen the position of the National University Hospital, which include opening more intensive care units, opening high-dependency units, and opening new rehabilitation and palliative care units. In addition, the number of beds has been increased at other institutions and agreements have been made with private providers for specialised staff. Work will continue with Landspítali to strengthen the hospital for the short and long term.

Alongside strengthening the healthcare system to respond to serious illness, stimulating vaccination among the groups most likely to become seriously ill, and other necessary measures, it is the government's vision that the path of mitigation involves progressively fewer restrictions as immunity and resilience grow. In this way, it will gradually be possible to reduce the requirements for testing, quarantine and isolation, mass gathering restrictions will be eased, the use of face coverings will become optional, the emphasis will be increased on individual infection control, and specific restrictions on the opening hours of hospitality and entertainment venues will be phased out.

As life returns to normal, there will be less need for various economic and labour market interventions, but resources such as the Get to Work initiative, the extension of income-related unemployment benefit, Recovery and furlough grants, and payment of wages during quarantine, will continue to support people and businesses experiencing a loss of income.