COVID-19: Stricter border measures due to new Omicron variant

All passengers that have stayed in a defined high-risk zone for more than 24 hours in the past 14 days shall undergo a PCR test upon arrival followed by quarantine that ends with another test five days later. These measures apply to everyone that has stayed in a defined high-risk zone irrespective of vaccination status or prior COVID-19 infection. Passengers from high-risk zones shall also present a negative COVID test before departure to Iceland (excluding passengers with ties to Iceland). Furthermore, these passengers shall fill out the pre-registration form with information on where they plan to quarantine in Iceland. Children born in 2016 and later are exempt from these rules. The new regulation, signed by Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir, is in line with the recommendations of the Chief Epidemiologist. 

Defined high-risk zones are: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The Chief Epidemiologist has also issued a recommendation for Icelanders not to travel to these countries, irrespective of vaccination status or prior COVID-19 infection. The regulation enters into force on Sunday 28 November. 

Further information on border measures for passengers arriving from high-risk zones:

Pre-registration: All passengers shall fill out the pre-registration form before arrival with information on where they have stayed in the past 14 days and where they plan to quarantine in Iceland. Pre-registration is at visit.covid.is

COVID test before departure:When boarding a flight to Iceland passengers must present a negative COVID-19 test, either a PCR test or a rapid antigen test. The test must have been taken within the last 72 hours. Those that can present a valid certificate showing that 14-180 days have passed since recovering from a previous COVID-19 infection are exempt from presenting a negative test. Children born in 2016 and later as well as residents of Iceland and those that have ties to Iceland are also exempt. 

Upon arrival in Iceland:Everyone coming from a high-risk zone, irrespective of vaccination status or age, shall undergo a PCR test upon arrival and quarantine for five days, ending with a second PCR test.