“The critical phase of the pandemic is over,” said Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, even though numbers of new coronavirus infections are at record levels. But the government is looking at a different number. And it’s lifting restrictions.
Duty to wear masks, show covid certificates… It’s a thing of the past in Denmark
Despite the continuing high number of new SARS-CoV-2 infections, Denmark has lifted virtually all restrictions put in place to combat the pandemic. Since Tuesday, February 1, there are no restrictions, except for special regulations on entry into the country. Danes can now forget about the obligation to cover the mouth and nose and the need to show proof of vaccination, recovery status or negative coronavirus test results.
Large parties are allowed, bars and discos are open. This is due to the fact that COVID-19 is no longer treated as a socially critical disease, that is, a threat to society. The Danes had already taken a similar approach once in September last year. After that, however, the number of new infections rose sharply again, so restrictions were reintroduced.
There are now tens of thousands of new coronavirus infections a day in this EU country of almost six million people – before the Omikron variant emerged, such numbers were unthinkable. However, these numbers do not affect the situation in hospitals and especially in intensive care units as much as feared. The milder course of the diseases and the country’s high percentage of vaccinated residents are the main reasons why Denmark has decided to lift all pandemic restrictions. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen explained that the opening was made possible “by breaking the link between the increasing number of infections and the number of people seriously ill and hospitalized due to COVID-19.”
Special regulations for entry into Denmark remain in place
Special entry regulations remain in effect in Denmark, which specifically apply to unvaccinated persons. Vaccinated persons and recovered persons arriving from anywhere in the world are no longer required to show an additional negative coronavirus test result. However, EU and Schengen citizens who do not have a valid vaccination or recovery certificate must take a coronavirus test before or at the latest 24 hours after entering Denmark. The government is also encouraging hospitals and nursing homes to continue to require visitors to wear masks and show a covid certificate to protect the elderly and vulnerable.
Source: www.n-tv.de