“The beginning of freedom”: the restrictions of the pandemic are being lifted all over the world

Kremlin relations

On June 25, the government of Iceland announced that all internal restrictions that were associated with avoiding the spread of coronavirus were being lifted on the territory of the state. 

This decision is due to the fact that today about 87 percent of the adult population has already been vaccinated against COVID-19 or received the first dose of the vaccine. 

Since June 27, residents of Iceland can not observe a social distance of 1.5 meters, don’t wear medical masks and gloves to meetings or other mass events. In addition, everyone who wants to enter the country is no longer required to take a test for the presence of the virus, but only a certificate of vaccination or a certificate of a previous illness will be enough. Also, children born after 2005 inclusive will be exempt from the need for testing.

Photo: John Sibley / Reuters

“We are returning to a comfortable life in society and to the routine that we have been striving for,” — Health Minister Svandis Svavarsdottir said. 

It is worth saying that the country’s authorities do not completely eliminate the possibility of outbreaks of the virus by their actions. On the contrary, they noted that in the future, although small, foci of the spread of infection are expected.

“We are confident that our contact tracing capabilities and the willingness of the population to comply with the requirements of quarantine and isolation will be sufficient to combat any new outbreaks,” — said Vidir Reinisson, head of the Civil protection Department.

In conclusion, the government said that most of the infections this year belong to the alpha variant of the virus (the British strain).