Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following message to University staff and students today (26 March 2021):
"Dear students and colleagues,
As previously announced, the government has severely tightened public health restrictions in the hope of avoiding a fourth wave of the pandemic here in Iceland. The success of this strategy depends on our continued solidarity in the fight against the virus.
The mass infections we are seeing now are caused by the British variant of the coronavirus, which is considerably more infectious than most other variants, as well as causing more symptoms in older children. There is only one possible response: we must exercise caution and follow the advice of the public health authorities. The main rules are to maintain a distance of 2 metres and avoid gatherings of more than 10 people in the same space. Face masks are required in a number of contexts.
All instruction at the University of Iceland will now be online and our buildings are almost entirely closed. In the next few days, the health authorities will issue rules for schools and universities to come into effect after the Easter holidays.
In light of the situation, I encourage you, dear students, to check the advice on COVID-19 on the University website, which includes various tips for improving your own wellbeing.
I also encourage you, dear colleagues, to check the information on health and wellbeing on Ugla, which contains advice on how to handle this challenging situation. I strongly recommend that those of you who are able to work from home do so and consult with your immediate superior to agree on working arrangements.
In these difficult circumstances, we must not forget everything you have achieved over the last 13 months, dear students and colleagues. The Icelandic word seigla, meaning resilience, is the word that most often comes to mind as I look back. It is a word coined by our national poet, Jónas Hallgrímsson, who was also the author of these lines about the importance of the pursuit of knowledge: Vísindin efla alla dáð, orkuna styrkja, viljann hvessa, vonina glæða (Science furthers all great deeds, strengthens the spirit, sharpens the will, kindles hope.) Science, willpower, hope and resilience are precisely the things that will win us the victory in the end, if we remain united.
Let's enjoy the weekend as best we can, dear students and colleagues. We must all take care, perhaps more now than ever before in our struggle against the virus.
Together we will prevail.
Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector"