Faroe Islands prolongs free COVID-19 testing for travellers until July 31
The Faroe Islands have decided to continue offering free COVID-19 testing for travellers until July 31.
The Faroese government instituted the testing policy on June 27, saying testing would be free until July 10.
After that date, authorities were planning to charge 390 Danish kroner (approximately $80 CDN) for travellers arriving by plane and 500 Danish kroner (approximately $100 CDN), if arriving by ferry.
But in a news release on Thursday, the authorities said the free testing would now last the entire month.
Measures may also be prolonged until August 16.
“Faroese society is small and vulnerable”
Authorities are also warning travellers waits may be long.
“Due to these testing requirements, lengthy waiting times can be expected upon arrival,” the news release said. “Everyone arriving in the Faroe Islands is advised to proceed directly into self-quarantine until test results are received.”
Children under 12 are exempt from testing. Results are usually ready within 24 hours.
No matter the results, the government also said visitors were still required to respect public health requirements.
“Faroese society is small and vulnerable and it is therefore crucial that utmost precaution continues to be taken to prevent the spread of infection,” the authorities said.
The Faroe Islands, an autonomous region within the Kingdom of Denmark, has reported 187 total confirmed COVID-19 cases, but all people have since recovered.
Write to Eilís Quinn at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca10
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Inuit gov. in Labrador, Canada tells out-of-province travellers to stay away despite ‘Atlantic bubble’, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Finland joins other Nordic countries in virtual tourism due to pandemic, Yle News
Greenland: Greenland extends COVID-19 entry requirements until July 20, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: Iceland lowers price of on-arrival COVID-19 testing, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Norwegian Arctic wilderness tourism hit particularly hard by coronavirus, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: All Russia’s North Pole cruises rescheduled to 2021, Eye on the Arctic
Sweden: Sweden seen as major source of COVID-19 in Western Finland region, Yle News
United States: Airline shutdown creates new challenges for rural Alaska, The Associated Press
