Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following message to University staff and students today (14 September 2020):
"Dear students and colleagues,
This weekend it was confirmed that a staff member working in the University of Iceland Main Building has been infected with COVID-19. All necessary measures have been taken in collaboration with the Department of Civil Protection's contact tracing team and the Chief Epidemiologist in order to prevent further spread of the virus and guarantee the safety of staff and students. The contact tracing team has been in touch with everyone who needs to go into quarantine, including the Rector and two other staff members in the Main Building. The work facilities of those who are now in quarantine have been thoroughly disinfected.
In the circumstances, it is natural that staff and students may have questions, in which case please contact Magnús Diðrik Baldursson, Managing Director of the Rector's Office (mb@hi.is), Ragnhildur Ísaksdóttir, Director of the Division of Human Resources (ragnhildurisaks@hi.is) or Snorri Páll Davíðsson, UI Health and Safety Officer (spd@hi.is).
This is a reminder to us all that although, fortunately, the domestic infection rate is falling, the pandemic is far from over. I would like to urge you all, dear colleagues and students, to hold meetings remotely and to follow the official infection control rules to the letter. We must continue to follow strict hygiene practices and keep at least one metre distance from others. If we are experiencing even the mildest symptoms, we must stay at home without exception.
I would like to remind you that staff who are struggling with negative feelings due to the pandemic are invited to have an online chat with a professional from Auðnast. The aim is to give people an opportunity to get their worries off their chest and receive support. Further information is available from the human resource services in your unit or in the Main Building.
I would also like to remind you that the University of Iceland is offering free psychological therapy for students and I urge those of you experiencing anxiety due to the current situation to book an individual session online.
I wish you all the best of luck this week,
Best regards,
Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector"