Iceland has announced that beginning Thursday, March 18, 2021, everyone who has been vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to travel to Iceland without being subject to PCR testing and quarantine, including all U.S. citizens. Travelers must provide proof of full vaccination with a vaccine that has been certified for use by the European Medical Agency such as Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson’s single dose, and Moderna vaccines, as well as requirements defined by the chief epidemiologist of Iceland and Icelandic regulations.
The exemption also applies to those, including U.S. citizens, who can provide valid proof of prior infection. Documentation on prior infections must be in accordance with the requirements defined by the chief epidemiologist.
“We are excited to safely reopen our borders to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens, as well as those who are no longer susceptible to the virus,” said Sigriour Dogg Guomundsdottir, head of Visit Iceland, in a press statement. “Tourism is a very valuable industry for Iceland, as it contributes to our economy and culture. With the support of approved vaccines, the targeted measures taken by Icelandic officials, experts, scientists, and the general population to continuously keep the infection rate down, as well as a focused reopening plan designed to keep the Icelandic people and tourists healthy, we are now able to safely extend an exemption to U.S. travelers.”
Previously, only citizens of the EU/EEA who showed a negative PCR test prior to their departure to Iceland, a negative PCR test at the border followed by a 5-day quarantine, and a third negative test after quarantine, were allowed to enter the country. Iceland has also maintained a policy of exempting from all border measures those who have presented proof of vaccination or prior infections issued in the EU/EEA.
“Our experience and data so far indicate that there is very little risk of infection stemming from individuals who have acquired immunity against the disease, either by vaccination or by prior infection,” said Thorolfur Gudnason chief epidemiologist in a statement issued by the Icelandic government today. “When people are protected against the same disease, with the same vaccines that are produced by the same companies, there is no medical reason to discriminate on the basis of the location where the shot is administered. Our experience shows that the risk of infection from vaccinated individuals is very small or negligible.”
For more information on Iceland, visit visiticeland.com.
Greece has also reopened to U.S. travelers.
