Iceland: Arrivals From Spain Can Now Isolate in Private Accommodation Instead of Quarantine Facilities
Iceland’s Ministry of Health has removed Spain from the list of countries considered highly affected by the Coronavirus pandemic after ensuring that the latter recently has reported fewer cases of COVID-19 infection.
Yet, the decision comes at a time when in some territories in Spain, there is a surge in the number of infections, while the country risks facing the fourth wave of the virus.
According to Iceland’s government announcement, travelers from Spain will be required to follow quarantine rules in private accommodation and not in a quarantine facility, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
“In the case of countries that are divided into more than one territory where the notification rate of new infections varies, the country in question may be categorized based on the notification rate of new infections in the territory where it is highest,” the statement reads.
Spain is the ninth most affected country from the Coronavirus pandemic with 3,291,394 registered cases and 75,541 deaths. Worldometers’ figures reveal that 3,054,725 persons have fully recovered from the virus, while there are 161,128 active cases.
Spain’s Health Ministry on Tuesday reported that the number of Coronavirus cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last two weeks surpassed 150-the threshold in Catalonia, Basque Country, Navarre, Asturias, and the North African exclave cities of Ceuta and Melilla.
Based on the country’s Health Ministry report, released on Tuesday, the seven-day cumulative number of cases is 76. Simultaneously, over 15 percent of intensive care units are occupied by persons receiving medical treatment due to COVID-19.
Spain’s capital continues to report an increased number of COVID-19 infections, while the 14-day cumulative number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants stands at 257.
In a bid to protect its citizens from the virus, Spain previously announced that it would prolong restrictions imposed on non-essential travel from countries that are not part of the European Union and Schengen Area until April 30.
Iceland managed to better control the spread of the virus than Spain, with only 6,205 cases reported since the beginning of the pandemic. It is the 158th most-affected country worldwide by the virus.
Authorities in Iceland announced that they plan to allow all nationals of third countries who have taken the vaccine against COVID-19 to enter its country.
The decision was set to come into effect on March 26, but Iceland’s government decided to postpone it until April 6 in a bid to prevent an increase in the number of infections.
