Jón Atli Benediktsson, rector of the University of Iceland sent the following announcement to students and staff today:
"Dear students and colleagues,
Through a collective effort, we have reached a major milestone in the struggle against the current pandemic. Next Monday, the assembly ban of recent weeks, which has had such an enormous impact on all our lives, will be relaxed. However, on no account must we become complacent. Through tenacity and solidarity we have won an important battle, but the war is not over yet. We must remember that civil defence is in our hands and we all bear personal responsibility for ensuring that these essential rules are followed.
As of 4 May, University of Iceland buildings will be generally open to students and staff, as stated on the University's COVID-19 web page. To reduce the risk of infection, the number of seats in the University Centre, study rooms and computer labs are limited in accordance with the 2 metre rule. The maximum number of people in any one space is also limited to 50. These arrangements apply to all University buildings.
I urge you to carefully read the information from the University Emergency Response Board on access to buildings and working arrangements, including the reminder that staff with underlying health conditions should work from home.
Last week, it was announced that the graduation ceremony will take place on Saturday 27 June. Further information about arrangements for the graduation ceremony and presentation of degree certificates will be issued shortly.
Work is underway on organising summer courses and summer jobs for students. To this end, an online questionnaire will be sent to staff in order to map opportunities for summer jobs.
I wish to once more express my gratitude to students and staff for how well exams are going, having started in their revised form last Friday. I wish students the best of luck in their remaining exams.
The weather has been remarkably fine these last days here in the Reykjavík area, which has really lifted the spirits. Many people feel their mood lighten with the spring sunshine and the songs of the birds who have arrived in Iceland, many from far away. "Vorboðinn ljúfi! fuglinn trúr sem fer með fjaðrabliki háa vegaleysu", wrote Jónas Hallgrímsson (Sweet herald of spring! faithful bird flying with flash of feather across the high expanse). We must wait a little longer before we ourselves can fly across the ocean as we please. Every day we read news of layoffs and businesses in trouble. This is having a major impact on the lives of many people, with one difficulty on top of the other in recent weeks. We must remember that these troubles will pass. Tenacity and a united effort will keep us going, as we build on a foundation of robust education and research.
Enjoy the weekend, dear students and colleagues, as well as you can despite the extra pressures. Let us not lose sight of all the things that make life worth living.
Best regards,
Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector"