© Art Bicnick
A government measure that went into effect April 1st, which compelled anyone arriving in Iceland from
countries where the 14-day incidence of COVID-19 infection exceeds 500 per 100,000 population to stay in Fosshótel Reykjavík between screenings,
has been ruled by Reykjavík District Court to have no legal ground to compel people who have legal residence in Iceland to stay in this hotel, RÚV reports. Nonetheless, in the wake of the ruling, few people have opted to leave the hotel.The Minister of Health and the chief epidemiologist contended that they had the legal authority for this action, and that it did not go farther than necessary for ensuring public health, the decision itself being made in light of multiple reports of people breaking quarantine. Chief epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason has expressed
disappointment with the ruling, and
will appeal the matter to Appellate Court.
The basis for the complaints put before the court was that
the five-day hotel stay constituted "unlawful detainment". The ruling was specifically applied to people with legal residence in Iceland, and judge Skúli Magnússon told reporters that no other circumstances were taken into consideration, e.g., people visiting Iceland who do not have legal residence here.
The next step will be for the government to reconvene on the issue. If they want to continue to employ the quarantine hotel strategy, they will need to change current regulations. It may also require Parliament passing a new law.
Despite the ruling, Gylfi Þór Þorsteinsson, who is the supervisor of the quarantine hotel, told reporters that
only 15 people to whom the ruling applies opted to check out and complete their quarantine at home. This was despite the fact that everyone was informed of the ruling personally by hotel staff.The ball is now in the government's court to see what, if any, new action they will take to either make the quarantine hotel legal, or to come up with another option.
Eric stared for a long time at the open door to his room. It did not make any sense to him. One moment, there was a raging pandemic slaughtering billions worldwide. Everyone had to play their part to save others: wear masks, get vaccinated and isolate themselves for 14 days upon re-entry to the country. To do otherwise was far too dangerous. Now it was something untoward, unpredictable. A greater power had said, "No." None of it was required any more. No masks, no vaccinations, no quarrantine. The whim of a single man had turned everything on its head. Eric's lip quivered in that moment of fear and uncertainty.
"Uhhh... umm... no..." he stammered, eyes diverting from the light-filled corridor. "I will stay here. It's safer for me and for others. I will stay here."
The receptionist shrugged and closed the door, leaving it unlocked. The silence returned. Eric had made his choice. And it would determine his future. Forever.