Covid-19 information

Reykjavik Bear has no plans to cancel the event. While we will follow all rules and regulations and take all safety precautions recommended by Icelandic health officials, currently there is no need to think that Reykjavik Bear will not be able to take place as intended.

Iceland took strong measures to fight the spread of the Corona virus and as a result there are very few active infections left in the country. Restrictions are currently being gradually lifted but some restrictions will remain in place at least until the end of 2020.

The Icelandic government has a website with all relevant information regarding Covid-19 where you can get further information and read up on Iceland’s response to the virus. The website is at covid.is

International Travel

Currently international travel is allowed and Iceland’s borders are open to all EU and Schengen states along with those countries deemed safe by the EU. These countries include Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay. China is also on the list subject to confirmation of reciprocity.

Please note that United States is not on the list and travelers with US passports may be denied entry.

For a complete list of countries outside EU allowed to travel to EU/Schengen refer to https://reopen.europa.eu/en

All travelers arriving in Iceland, except those traveling from designated safe countries, are currently mandated to take a PCR test at the airport or go into a 2 week quarantine. Before arriving, passenger need to pre-register, have a valid mobile phone that can receive text messages and although it is not mandatory, travelers are asked to download a tracking app specific to Covid-19 tracing if a person is found to have the Covid-19 virus. The cost of the PCR test is 9.000 ISK (roguhly 65 USD, 57 EUR, 51 GBP) if payed during pre-registration or 11.000 ISK (roughly 79 USD, 70 EUR, 63 GBP) upon arrival.

As of 16. July Iceland recognizes the following countries as safe countries and travelers arriving from these countries are exempt from the quarantine and screening requirements that are generally in place provided that the traveler has not visited an area that is classified as high-risk in the 14 days prior to arrival in Iceland: Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Germany, Greenland and Norway.

Note that if a person tests positive for Corona virus they are mandated to go into a 2 week quarantine and is not allowed to travel at all during this time. The Icelandic government does help with arrangements in such cases.

For further information please refer to the covid.is tourist information page.

Reykjavik Bear changes

Reykjavik Bear has had to re-evaluate some aspects of the event since we do expect fewer guests because of the epidemic than we initially were hoping for. This includes changing some venues and unfortunately reschedule international entertainers for a later year. Also, all places that sell alcohol are only allowed to be open until 11 pm so all parties have to start and end earlier than initially planned. Other than this we intend to make the weekend a beartastic weekend with lots of bears and lots of fun.

What if I can’t make it after all?

Reykjavik Bear acts in good faith and is a non-profit organisation with limited abilities to deal with unforeseen costs. We will always do what we feel is possible for us to do to help out with unforeseen changes for our guests. But we can not guarantee any more than what our terms and conditions specify.

Our Terms and conditions specify that if a ticket is cancelled, a 10% cancellation fee is charged if the ticket is cancelled before 1. August. After that no refunds are afforded. This is because we are required to confirm bookings for our trips and we will need to make payments regardless of weather or not our guests actually show up.

Also, please note that our ticket prices are in Icelandic Króna (ISK). The exchange rate of the Króna has fluctuated allot during the epidemic and is still fluctuating. Reykjavik Bear does not accept any responsibility for this and therefore a refunded amount may be different from what was payed because of this.

Due to the Corona pandemic we do offer to keep previously purchased tickets for up to 2 years if guests prefer that instead of paying the cancellation fee and risk an exchange rate related loss of value.

We encourage all our guests to have travel insurance.

We will continue to monitor the situation as it continues to evolve and make appropriate adjustments as needed. Keep an eye on this page to see any updates.

This page was last updated on 14. July 2020.
Details are current as of 14. July 2020.