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An island of fire and ice, Iceland is one of the top travel destinations across the globe. Lying close to the Arctic Circle, this surreal country presents numerous breath-taking and dramatic landscapes to blow every travellers’ mind. With its feisty volcanoes, majestic whales, gleaming glacial caves, steaming hillocks, and lonely lava plains, Iceland promises you an unforgettable adventure.
The sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced several travelling restrictions to Iceland for travellers. But don’t let that bother you, for we are here with a detailed guide on visiting Iceland in the post-COVID world! Read on and plan a trip to this stunning destination!
Is Travelling to Iceland Safe?
The total number of COVID-19 positive cases witnessed in Iceland is around 2135 out of which 2029 have been recovered. Only 10 deaths have been recorded so far in the country. As compared to other destinations, Iceland has observed quite a low amount of COVID positive cases and is thus also deemed quite safe for travellers to visit. Moreover, the strict safety measures and guidelines introduced in Iceland make it a safe destination to visit for travellers.
Support Of Visit Iceland & Directorate of Health
To ensure the safety of all their travellers, the Directorate of Health, Iceland has compiled and issued detailed travel guidelines in English which have been made mandatory for all the tourism companies to get acquainted with. Furthermore, the Directorate encourages all the tourism companies to share the detailed guidelines with all their travellers before stepping in the soils of Iceland. The Directorate is also keen on publishing the guidelines in different languages for the ease of non-English speaking Iceland travellers. As soon as the guidelines are ready, they will be published on the official website of the Iceland Tourist Board.
Entry To Iceland
The Iceland officials have issued a detailed guide for travelling to Iceland on its official website. Currently, Iceland is open for travellers visiting from Australia, Georgia, Rwanda, Uruguay, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Tunisia, Thailand, South Korea, Morocco, and all EU countries. Travellers and Iceland residents should strictly practise social distancing norms, regularly wash their hands, disinfect them and wear masks at public places.
Entry Requirement
At present, all the travellers visiting Iceland have two different options before them
- Undergoing two COVID-19 tests along with 5 days of compulsory quarantine
- Self-isolating themselves for 14 days after entry. You either need to pay an advance sum of 9000 ISK per test or pay a sum of 11,000 ISK per test at the airport. Furthermore, it is also suggested to book the test in advance to avoid having to stand in queues at the airport and wait for your turn to book one.
How To Get To Iceland?
You can reach Iceland either by airways or seaways –
By Air
The best and the most convenient way of travelling to Iceland is by airways. Most of the international flights to Iceland arrive at its Keflavik & Reykjavik International Airport which have been fully prepared to ensure the safety of all travellers. British Airways and Lufthansa Airways flights are available from New Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore to both these airports. The airports are well equipped with enhanced safety measures and sanitization techniques. Although, please make sure you have the right residency VISA to be able to enter the country.
Before You Leave
All the travellers travelling to Iceland have to mandatorily fill an electronic health declaration form before starting their Iceland journey. Additionally, you are encouraged to download COVID app named Ranking C-19 which provides all the detailed information related to COVID-19 and the governmental healthcare services available across Iceland in a wide array of languages.
On Arrival
At present, COVID-19 testing facility is made available at the Keflavik Airport and at Seyoisfjorour Airport in East Iceland. This testing facility is available for all those who opt for COVID-19 testing on their arrival. Passengers arriving either at Reykjavik or Egilsstaoir or Akureyi airports have to undergo a compulsory COVID-19 screening at any healthcare clinic located close to it.
All travellers will have to go through a double screening test. The first one is performed on your arrival at the airport after which you will have to undergo a mandatory self-isolation for 5 to 6 days. You may go through the detailed instructions laid down for the Iceland visitors for home-based quarantine.
Second COVID-19 screening should be done at healthcare services across any service centre within the country. You will be allowed to get back to your hotel once the second COVID-19 screening result turns out to be negative.
What happens if you test positive for COVID-19?
If you test positive for COVID-19 on your arrival to Iceland, you will have to undergo further supplementing tests to confirm whether you are suffering from an active infection or not. If you have an active infection, you will be asked to self-isolate. All travellers who have to undergo self-isolation and are devoid of any access to any particular location where they can practice it will be provided with a specialised accommodation facility at a public isolation centre at absolutely no cost.
List of accommodation who welcome quarantine guests.
Quarantine guidelines to be mandatorily followed.
All those who have been infected severely will have to provide all the relevant information to the contact tracing team about all those who have come in contact with them. Medical examination, medical supervision or treatment for all forms of notifiable diseases including COVID-19 infection have been made available at absolutely no cost to all the intended patients.
Hotels & Resorts Reopened In Iceland
Almost all hotels and resorts in Iceland have reopened with enhanced sanitization methods and safety measures in place to keep the guests safe. here are some of the best hotels you can enjoy a comfortable and safe stay at:
- The Retreat At Blue Lagoon
- Canopy by Hilton, Reykjavik
- Northern Lights Inn
- Exeter Hotel by Keahotels
- ION Adventure Hotel
What to do if you test positive for COVID-19 at your resort or hotel?
If you experience any symptoms like mild cold, cough, and flu-like symptoms, while at the resort, you will have to immediately seek a medical consultation by contacting the health officials at +354 544 4113. This should be done before you seek any medical assistance from any health official across any nook and corner of Iceland.
Restrictions In Iceland
Here are the restrictions in effect in Iceland:
- No more than 100 people are allowed to gather in one place.
- General social distancing is to be followed. A distance of 2 meters has to be kept between each individual.
- All individuals must mandatorily wear face masks when in public places.
Exploring Iceland in the “New Normal”
Iceland has loads of experiences to have in the “new normal” where you can enjoy your heart out and stay safe.
1. Go For The Golden Circle Tour
The popular Golden Circle Tour Of Iceland takes you around the three most important sights in the country- Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, and the Secret Lagoon. The astonishing views of these attractions are sure to take your breath away. Think stunning landscapes, out-of-the-world sights and the cold fresh air of Iceland- all while you adhere to social distancing and safety measures and stay safe.
2. Visit Snæfellsjökull National Park
The Snæfellsjökull National Park is the perfect place to see the unique flora and fauna of Iceland. Nature lovers can also spend the day hiking across this stunning national park. If you’re an adventure junkie, you can trek up the famous Snæfellsjökull glacier in the national park. Any which way, you are sure to stay safe, away from the crowds.
3. Witness The Majestic Dynjandi Waterfall
One of the most beautiful waterfalls you will see in Iceland is the Dynjandi Waterfall. The view of this fall is called as being a scene straight out of a fairytale. You can even camp in the surrounding areas of the falls and enjoy its view overnight. All you need to take care of is to maintain some distance from the other campers and stay safe.
4. Go Whale Watching
Have you ever witnessed the mightiness of the great whale? If not, the whale watching experience of Iceland is something which calls for your dire attention. Husavik and Reykjavik are the two essential spots to hop on for your Iceland’s whale watching experience. With enhanced distancing measures and safety concerns, you will surely stay safe on the whale watching tours while witnessing these majestic creatures.
5. Witness The Black Sand Of Djúpalón Beach
Iceland is well known for its black sand beaches and you mustn’t miss it if you’re visiting Iceland! Head to the Djúpalón Beach and spend the day strolling at this astonishing landscape. The best part- you’ll get to be socially distant, safe and enjoy the beauty of Iceland all together!
6. Drive To The Hekla Volcano
The Hekla Volcano in Iceland is known to be one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Hire a car for a day and drive to see this amazing volcano that will leave you speechless. The out-worldly landscape of this volcano has also been used as film locations several times. So get in a car with your family, or alone and safely drive to witness this wonder!
7. Head Out To Witness The Northern Lights
If you’re visiting Iceland, watching the northern lights is a must-do! You can board on the Reykjavik excursion bus ride to take you off the city to get the more precise picture of this magnificent display. Situated probably at an hour’s distance from the city centre, the bus ride takes you to a snowy desert landscape where you have minimal light pollution. The empty fields and reduced capacities of tours will also allow you to adhere to social distancing norms and stay safe.
How To Get Around?
You can quickly get around Iceland by –
Air: For all those who want to reach their final destination, can prefer to travel via airways. Iceland features an extensive network of airlines just like any other mode of transport to facilitate their residents and tourists to travel within the frontiers. To travel via airways, domestic flights are available at Reykjavik Domestic Airport.
Car: By far, the car is the most preferred way to travel in and around Iceland. Though a bit expensive than other modes of commutation, a rented vehicle facilitates you with the door-to-door transfer. Renting a 2WD vehicle can carry you anywhere across Iceland. However, to get along the F Roads and highlands, you need a 4WD.
Public bus: A decent bus network shuttles across every nook and corner of Iceland. You can get detailed information about the available bus services and their routes at www.publictransport.is. It is mandatory to wear masks and follow social distancing while in public transport.
Packing Essentials For A Post-COVID Holiday
The COVID-19 outbreak has not just changed the way we travel, but also the way we pack! If you are planning on a holidaying vacation to Iceland in this time, here’s what your bag should surely have:
N-95 masks: COVID-19 spreads by microdroplets containing the virus, that causes the infection. Ensure that your backpack contains at least 3 variants of N-95 masks of a top brand. You can use them alternatively to ensure your safety on your go. The N-95 masks are made out of filter pores whose dimensions are much lower than the dimensions of those COVID-19 causing agents. This facilitates easy filtration of these microbes and keeps you safe.
Gloves: A pack of disposable gloves should surely be in your bag to ensure your safety from all possible contaminants present across different surfaces. As soon as you are done with their usage, you must dispose of them in the right place, responsibly.
First Aid Kit: No matter wherever you go, your first aid kit has to be there in your bag. Your first aid kit should comprise basic yet vital medications in treating cold, cough, and mild fever. Also, a thermometer has become a prerequisite these days as you continuously need to keep a check on your changing body temperature.
Hand Sanitizer: Sanitization is an essential step for curtailing off the microbial load present across different surfaces, and the same has been highlighted everywhere during this pandemic. Use a top brand sanitizer regularly to sanitize your palms. Develop a sanitization routine just like you do with a good sunscreen to protect your skin from the wrath of the sun damage. Just remember, that you do not get close to the fire as the alcohol base might catch fire and contribute to severe burns.
Extra clothes and a bag: To keep yourself extra safe, always carry a pair of clothes only to be worn at the airports. Once you’re settled, you can either wash them or secure them in a zip lock bag and wear them again when you travel back.
With Iceland’s Directorate of Health and Chief Epidemiologist advisory, Iceland has been made quite safe for tourists. The strict safety measures and social distancing norms in the country ensure everyone’s well-being and safety. If you’re planning a visit to this astonishing destination, always carry your masks, follow the rules in the country and you will be able to enjoy your visit safely!