Bathers enjoy the warm volcanic hot springs of the Blue Lagoon in Grindavik, Iceland, March 6, 2020. (File photo: Reuters)
Iceland is proceeding with plans to test all incoming airline passengers for COVID-19 from June 15 in a bid to salvage its biggest export, tourism.
The government’s announcement follows consultations with the country’s chief epidemiologist and a deal with DeCODE Genetics, which will assist with the testing facilities.
“The economic impact of unchanged travel restrictions would be enormous,” the government said in a statement Tuesday.
The tests will be carried out directly upon arrival at Keflavik Airport, at an estimated cost for the first two weeks of operations of 160 million kronur ($1.2 million), assuming an average of 500 tests per day.
The tests will be free of charge for passengers during that initial 2-week trial period.
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