Stricter border controls

Although Covid-19 is currently not a major threat in the Faroes, we are in the eye of a storm that is raging around us, said Prime Minister Bárður á Steig Nielsen as he opened this morning’s Covid-19 press conference.

To protect the country from this storm, border control measures will now be tightened and all non-essential travel in and out of the country is discouraged.

Everyone travelling to the Faroes will now be required to get tested for Covid-19 three days prior to arrival, get tested upon arrival and then undergo a follow-up test six days after arrival.

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According to the Prime Minister, there have been many recent examples of incoming travellers testing negative upon arrival but then testing positive at the follow-up test six days later.

To further encourage people to get tested, the health authorities have introduced a text message system which will remind travellers to get tested again on the sixth day after arrival.

Everyone who travels to the country is urged to be extra cautious in the first six days after arriving. Attending e.g. birthday parties is discouraged during this period, and these people can only go to work if they are certain that they can maintain a safe physical distance from their colleagues at all times.

Christmas parties

Anyone planning to attend workplace Christmas parties is urged to take extra care.

The health authorities recommend that no more than 20 people attend these parties, and where possible, parties should be divided into smaller units.

The Prime Minister urged the public to respect these guidelines, with a special plea to people partaking in nightlife activities to act responsibly and pay attention to the social distancing guidelines at all times.

The revised guidelines will come into effect on Friday and will remain in force for the rest of the year. Guidelines not mentioned here will remain as they are until further notice.

In related news, no new Covid cases were registered from yesterday's testing round.

For further information about Covid-19 in the Faroes, visit corona.fo.

Translated by prosa.fo