Iceland sets cost for virus test offered travellers from 15 June

Iceland on Friday said the cost for a coronavirus test due to be offered for travellers to the country will be about 113 dollars (100 euros).

The government recently said travellers will from 15 June be requested to choose between taking a coronavirus test on arrival or undergoing a 14-day quarantine.

The test would be offered free of charge during the first two-week period, the government said.

A certificate from abroad showing that the individual has recently been screened for the virus could possibly also be accepted. Children would be exempt from testing.

Initially, Iceland would be able to test 500 tourists a day, but the capacity was expected to be ramped up to 4,000 tests after a few weeks.

10 fatalities reported

Iceland has had about 1,800 confirmed virus cases of which almost all have fully recovered. The country of almost 365,0000 people has recorded 10 fatalities due to Covid-19. 

"The intention is to safeguard the progress we have made so far when travellers start returning to Iceland," chief epidemiologist Thorolfur Gudnason recently said of the move.

Since January, Icelandic nationals and residents arriving from high-risk areas have been required to self-isolate for two weeks. The move was extended on April 24 to comprise all international arrivals.

Visitors were also urged to follow restrictions on public gatherings, at present up to 200 people at most may gather.