The world’s tourism hot spots are gradually reopening, but most don’t look very alluring.
Here’s one destination that might turn out to be the perfect coronavirus refuge:
Icelandhttps://trib.al/y2R0jv9
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From the start of the outbreak, Iceland stood out from much of Europe by having a proactive pandemic plan ready and sticking to it It began testing widely in February, even before its first case, and even tested people with no symptoms http://trib.al/y2R0jv9 pic.twitter.com/YwxnoPy43x
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Iceland has tested more people per capita than anywhere else. By quarantining & tracing the contacts of positive cases, it was able to avoid strict lockdowns. The result? 1,802 cases, 10 deaths and an estimated mortality rate of 0.6% http://trib.al/y2R0jv9 pic.twitter.com/OOWXvzFKoT
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This isn’t to ignore the impact of demographics: Iceland’s median age is 36, 10 years below Italy’s. Social distancing is also far easier in a country whose population density is on par with Montana’s http://trib.al/y2R0jv9 pic.twitter.com/EE5OnHZCyj
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Rather than seek out deals or exclusive “travel bubbles”, Iceland’s plan is, from June 15, to offer all visitors a choice:
Two-week quarantine
Covid-19 test
All visitors are likely to have to download its Rakning C-19 contact-tracing app too http://trib.al/y2R0jv9 pic.twitter.com/kROOl7lNM4
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All visitors are being trusted to be responsible globetrotters, not just those with a certain passport. Rather than close borders or pick preferential partners, it’s better to track and trace the infection http://trib.al/y2R0jv9 pic.twitter.com/7ZxN6mNyzQ
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Iceland may also become a role model in supporting the tourism industry, its key export and 10% of GDP. The government’s fiscal package, worth 8% of GDP, includes subsidies to promote domestic tourism, a suspension of hotel taxes and a marketing campaign http://trib.al/y2R0jv9 pic.twitter.com/mx6PitWfKE
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It won’t be enough to avoid a deep recession in Iceland, but the nation is still worth paying attention to. If a small island can test, trace and isolate virus cases AND kick-start tourism in just a few months, it can be done elsewhere too http://trib.al/y2R0jv9 pic.twitter.com/tjSrhkv8Dx
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End of conversation
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Everything I need rn
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I prefer hot places
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And now you told EVERYONE. How will that work out with flights and tourism? There’s no getaway. Just stop. Ppl will bring it to Iceland and spread it one way or another. Stop trying to getaway on vacation and just deal like everyone else.
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Stunning landscapes
Northern Lights
Lava caves
Hot springs
Now it can add “coronavirus case study” to that list