Vaccination is the new Oxygen! Don’t you agree?
In the pandemic, the borders of Iceland’s were closed to visitors who came from outside Europe’s Schengen zone. However, this week, the government said that they will open their borders to travellers outside the Schengen zone who have been vaccinated. Plush those who have recovered from COVID-19 are welcomed too.
Regarding this subject, Thórólfur Gudnason, Iceland’s Chief Epidemiologist said that their experience and data indicate very strongly that there is very little risk of infection stemming from individuals who have acquired immunity against the disease. This immunity is either by vaccination or by prior infection. He added that “When people are protected against the same disease, with the same vaccines that from the same companies, there are no medical reasons to separate based on the location where the shot is administered.”
Anyone, whose vaccination has been approved by the European Medicines Agency, is welcomed in Iceland. These agencies approve only the AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccination. On the other hand, some have to be vaccinated by Sputnik V. they have to wait for the European Medicines Agency to approve the vaccine.
Iceland requires a negative PCR test to enter its country. This regulation has been executing since Feb. 16. A five-day quarantine period and an additional test at the border are also required. The Europeans with the vaccination, however, are exempt from the measures.
Iceland will begin using a risk assessment colour code at its borders to open up to even more travellers, starting May 1. Arrivals from low-risk areas (which will be coded green and yellow) will not be required to quarantine if they can present a negative PCR test at the border.
With the vaccination being in process, there is a new shed of lights at the end of the tunnel.