With under 15,000 Covid cases the WHOLE pandemic, and very high vaccination rate (74% fully vaccinated population on 9/9/21), and with strong genome testing Iceland has managed the pandemic very well
When travelling around Iceland you are able to experience “normality” again and instead just be able to enjoy a fantastic travel experience. With covid numbers so low there is little social distancing and face masks are rarely required. However please do pack face masks with you for use in Iceland and the guide will discuss with you before each tour, and the situation may change before your travel.
This is a summary below, and we spend a lot of time trying to keep this up to date, but as requirements can change it is critical you check yourself to ensure you have the correct paperwork and tests in place. Do not merely rely on our summary as by your travel the requirements may have changed and so it is critical you check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iceland and other such websites.
Plane Trip
You will be required to wear a mask at both airports and on the plane, unless medically exempt. If medically exempt you will need to prove that with a Dr’s certificate.
Border Controls
Both Iceland (no more than 72 hours before travel to Iceland) and the UK (no more than 48 hours before travel to UK) require that you fill in an on-line locator form before arrival into Iceland and back into the UK. This is checked by the airline and border control and you will not be allowed to fly without it. Further reading: gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk
COVID REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER ICELAND
Vaccination
At the moment Iceland are accepting double vaccinated (plus 2 weeks) 17 year olds and adults (anyone born in 2004 or before) into the country with no entry quarantine. They accept both the
NHS Covid Status APP or the NHS Covid Pass Letter as proof of certification.
To cover all options we would recommend you get the letter as well which can be requested via the NHS Website or by ringing 119. These are available from 5 working days after your second vaccination, and it takes at least 5 working days to reach you by post, or to be uploaded onto the APP.
To be cautious therefore please leave at least 3 weeks between your second vaccination and your travel date to ensure you have your proof of vaccination.
For children born in 2005 and younger you do not need to show vaccine certification on arrival.
For clarity single vaccinations for children born in 2004 or before are not accepted.
Pre Covid Infection
Instead of proof of a double vaccination (plus 2 weeks) Iceland will also accept proof of recovery from prior Covid infection which is more than 14 days and less than 180 days old. You can get this by dialing 119 at least 10 days after your positive pcr test, and it will be uploaded to your NHS Covid PASS. Please see link below for full requirement required by Iceland as proof.
Pre Iceland Flight Covid Test
Iceland requires you to have a negative PCR or Antigen test result to show at check in before taking your flight to Iceland. This test is to be taken no more than 72 hrs before flight departure. No self-administered tests are accepted and so the NHS Lateral Flow Antigen tests are not accepted. NHS PCR test results are also not accepted. Only children born in 2005 and later do not need this test.
If a positive PCR-test is presented that is more than 14 days old but less than 180 days then a pre-departure negative test is not required
The UK government has a list of approved Travel PCR testing suppliers from whom you can prebook your test (Payable direct by yourselves). The price varies by company but is £79 per person from ‘Testing for All’.
If you decide to go down the Rapid Antigen route then you can get testing at LHR with results within 40 mins and is @£35 (payable direct by yourselves)
https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/fly-safe/covid-19-test
COVID REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER ENGLAND
Iceland is on the GO list and with under 15,000 cases during the whole of the pandemic we expect it to stay on the GO list. This means you do NOT need a pre-departure test before getting on the flight back to England as long as you are fully vaccinated. You still also need to have pre-booked your day 2 test on return to England and to show proof of that when you board the flight. Only children aged 4 and under do not need to take the day 2 test. This day 2 test can now be either an antigen or a pcr test.
Please note prior to a flight to Scotland from Iceland you do still need a PCR or Antigen test taken no more than 72 hours before travel. (This is different to England)
Day 2 Test
For the day 2 test on return the government has a list of approved Travel PCR testing suppliers from whom you have to pre-book your test (Payable direct by yourselves). The price varies by company but as an example ‘Testing for All’ was £55. Only children aged 4 and under do not need to take this test. This day 2 test can now be either an antigen or a pcr test.
In Scotland it will remain a PCR test requirement for day 2
COVID REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER USA
You must have a negative PCR or Antigen test result taken no more than 72 hours before departure
There is a locator form that you must fill in before arrival
The CDC’s current guidelines no longer require quarantine for fully vaccinated travelers but recommend you monitor for symptoms and have a test 3-5 days after your return. Travelers should also check their state requirements as those vary across the US
COVID REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
As long as you have a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate (DCC) showing you are double vaccinated, then you do not need to quarantine or to take a pre departure test.
There is a locator form that you must fill in before arrival
