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Iceland becomes first European country to relaunch tourism after coronavirus lockdown

Iceland will be the first European country to try and relaunch its tourism industry following the coronavirus pandemic but visitors will have to prove they don't have Covid-19

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The news has been welcomed by the tourism industry in Iceland(Image: Getty Images)

Visitors are to be allowed into Iceland again from June 15 as long as they test negative for coronavirus upon arrival.

It will be the first European country to try and relaunch its tourism industry following the coronavirus pandemic.

Passengers will be tested at Keflavk International Airport and presented with the result the very same day.

Tourists will also be able to present a fresh test result from their home country, but the Icelandic authorities do not guarantee that it will be accepted.

Anyone who refuses to be tested will be quarantined for two weeks. Anyone found to be carrying the virus will be immediately isolated.

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You may be able to go away to Iceland rather soon(Image: NurPhoto/PA Images)

Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir announced in an official statement that travel restrictions would be loosened "no later than June 15 2020, while from May 15 some professionals arriving in Iceland including scientists, filmmakers, and athletes will be eligible for a modified quarantine."

Minister for tourism Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir added: Icelands strategy of large-scale testing, tracing and isolating have proven effective so far.

"We want to build on that experience of creating a safe place for those who want a change of scenery after what has been a tough spring for all of us.

In response to the news, Bjarnheiour Hallsdottir, the chair of the Icelandic Travel Industry Association, told RUV News: "It's very important to be able to have a more long-term view of things than we've been able to until now.

"I believe that if everything goes well, we should see some tourists here this summer. For those who want to come, this will be a very real possibility.

"There is a lot at stake that Icelandair continues operations, and it's in reality a life-or-death question for tourism in Iceland.

"Hopefully people realise that the situation isn't just about Icelandair but tourism in Iceland as a whole, and not just tourism but the economy and our whole society."

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