Iceland wants its citizens to catch the COVID-19 infection. That sounds strange, right? However, the health ministry of Iceland said it wants “as many people as possible” to get coronavirus as it will help to achieve “widespread societal resistance”.
The country is planning to lift the remaining COVID-19 restrictions by Friday. This includes large indoor gatherings as well as limited time for bars to operate.
“Widespread societal resistance to COVID-19 is the main route out of the epidemic,” the health ministry said in a statement.
Furthermore, the statement said that to achieve widespread societal resistance, which is also referred to as “herd immunity”, “as many people as possible needed to be infected with the virus as the vaccines are not enough, even though they provide good protection against serious illness”.
Proof of vaccination not necessary to visit Iceland
Iceland will no longer expect passengers to produce documentation of a negative COVID-19 test. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers can visit the nation. Previously, visitors to Iceland had to present proof of vaccine taken within nine months or proof of a booster dose. Travelers could also present documentation that they contracted COVID-19 and recovered.
COVID-19 infections are at an all-time high in the nation. According to Reuters, the country is seeing more than 2,600 new infections per day. However, the country’s chief epidemiologist said “serious illness has not increased in the same manner”. Iceland joins other nations in reducing border regulations.
Israel expects to welcome unvaccinated visitors next month. France is also eliminating all pre-departure testing for fully vaccinated visitors. Portland and Slovakia are also planning on easing out restrictions.