The Minister of Health, Svandís Svavarsdóttir, has announced changes to measures to prevent coronary heart disease in Iceland. This will take effect on December 10 and have been revealed on official website of the Prime Minister’s Office, The Government of Iceland. The changes will apply until January 12.
The new measures, as set out in the official announcement, are listed below:
Major changes in meeting the restrictions
- Number limit: based on 10 people but with certain exceptions
- Children: Provisions on number limitation, proximity restrictions and mask obligation do not apply to children born in 2005 and later.
- Shops: All stores can accommodate 5 people for every 10 m², but a maximum of 100 people.
- Restaurants: 15 customers will be allowed into the space. It must be open until 22.00, but new customers may not take over after 21.00.
- Swimming and bathing places: Up to 50% of the maximum number of guests can be open under the operating license.
- Sports ÍSÍ: Sports exercises for individuals born in 2004 and earlier are allowed with and without contact in sports within ÍSÍ in the top division. Exercises of high achievers in individual sports are allowed. Exercises that require contact in martial arts are not allowed.
- Public sports: Anyone is allowed to do organized outdoor exercises that do not require contact.
- Performing arts, cinemas and other cultural events will be a home for up to 30 people in the field, ie. rehearsals and performances. Up to 50 seated guests can be accommodated and must wear a mask and up to 100 children born in 2005 and later. No breaks or alcohol sales allowed. Seats must be numbered and registered by name.
- Funerals: The maximum number of passengers will be 50.
- Validity: The the above changes apply from December 10, next to January 12, 2021.
Changes in restrictions in school work
- Provisions on mixing and the maximum number of preschool children are deleted. In this way, preschools can better adapt their activities over the holidays, as groups of children are often united between departments or even preschools.
- Reading space in universities and colleges opened for up to 30 students.
- Rules on school work that will take effect from 1 January 2021 will be announced soon.
- Validity: The above changes apply from December 10 to December 31.
It is expected that new rules on school work will be introduced on New Year’s Day. The biggest changes therefore seem to be the opening of pools, later restaurant hours and a slight change in the number of people allowed in shops. It should be noted that in most cases a 10-person collection ban is still in force.