The government of Iceland has closed its borders for all non-EU/EEA nationals in compliance with a shared decision taken by the EU Commission and EU Council last Tuesday, in a bid to curb the further spread of the Coronavirus.

The restrictions started applying on Friday, March 20, and now all travellers attempting to enter Iceland will be turned back, at least until April 17, 2020. In case the situation doesn’t improve, the restrictions will be extended.

The Icelandic Minister of Justice Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir had told local reporters last Wednesday that the news on the closure of the external borders came suddenly for the government of Iceland.

While she claimed that the ban could have a significant impact on Iceland, the government still decided to implement it.

The Icelandic government has explained that a few categories remain exempt from the travel ban.

“All foreign nationals with immigration status in Iceland or another Schengen State, or those who have family members in the same countries, are allowed to enter Iceland,” the government explains in a statement

Additionally, a few other categories travelling for essential purposes remain exempt from the ban, including:

passengers in transit

health and care workers on professional travel

transportation crews (airlines and freighters)

individual requiring international protection

individuals travelling because of acute family incidents and diplomats

international organizations staff

members of armed forces travelling to Iceland for duty, or humanitarian aid workers.

The categories listed above are subject to normal travel requirements.

The government of Iceland has also decided to obligate self-isolation for travellers from abroad.

“As of March 19, 2020, all residents in Iceland (regardless of nationality) who enter the country are obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of where they come from. This also applies to Icelanders living abroad who are coming to Iceland,” the statement reads adding that transportation crews (airlines and freighters) are exempt from the requirement.

Iceland, alongside Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland are part of the Schengen Area, but not members of the European Union.

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