Due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (B.1.2.529) in South Africa and the identification of this variant in countries outside of Africa related to travel from the continent, the Chief Epidemiologist for Iceland recommends that residents of Iceland avoid all unnecessary travel to certain African countries.

Iceland participates in the travel restrictions in the EU/Schengen area (see more on the National Commissioner of Police's website).

The European Commission has recommended that flights from these countries will not be permitted to land in Europe because of this variant, see press release from the EC. More countries may be added to this list as spread is confirmed. The current list includes the following countries:

• Botswana

• Eswatini

• Lesotho

• Mozambique

• Namibia

• South Africa

• Zimbabwe

Vaccinated individuals who have spent 24 hrs. or longer in any of these countries in the 14 days prior to arrival in Iceland are encouraged to pay careful attention to infection control measures and to undergo PCR testing for COVID-19 5 days after arrival in Iceland in addition to any testing that may have been done upon arrival. Vaccinated individuals who arrive in Iceland on or after 26 November 2021 are encouraged to undergo PCR upon arrival and after 5 days, observing quarantine until a negative result is obtained from the second PCR. Unvaccinated individuals are required to quarantine and be tested per current regulation.

The full extent of the Chief Epidemiologist‘s travel advice can be found here.

 The Chief Epidemiologist