The organizers of ASSW2020, which includes the Arctic Observing Summit (AOS) 2020, are extremely grateful for your commitment to participate and contribute to ASSW2020. So far, approximately 460 participants have registered for this important event.
Regarding the spread of the COVID-19, the organizers of ASSW2020 are having close consultations with the government authorities in Iceland, i.e. respective ministries, the Directorate of Health and the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management. Based on their expert opinions, the ASSW 2020 organizers are committed to go ahead with the ASSW2020 events as planned.
Due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19 the Directorate of Health of Iceland has defined the following areas with high risk of infection:
- China
- Italy
- South Korea
- Iran
- Ischgl in Austria
Furthermore, the Directorate of Health of Iceland advises individuals that have been in the above-mentioned areas in the past few days to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival to Iceland. More information can be found on The Directorate of Health’s website: https://www.landlaeknir.is/um-embaettid/greinar/grein/item39194/Skilgreindahaettusvaedi---Defined-high-risk-areas (please scroll down for English)
For this reason, the ASSW2020 organizers strongly recommend that if this restriction applies to you, you seriously consider cancelling your travel to Iceland. Participants travelling from high risk areas who want to cancel their registration, please send an email to info@assw2020.is. We expect to provide some refunds for those unable to travel to ASSW due to Iceland’s restrictions – but as this is a developing situation, we will need to do so after the end of ASSW.
Thank you for your patience. Please note that the ASSW2020 organizers are working on expanded remote participation options for ASSW2020, including AOS2020. Further details on remote participation will be available in the coming weeks.
While this situation is beyond our control, we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. We are very much looking forward to welcoming you to Akureyri for ASSW2020.
Federica Scarpa ASSW2020 Conference Manager