Denmark expands May 6th reopening
New agreement expands reopening of schools, sports, and cultural events
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The government and a majority of political parties reached an agreement late last night to expand the next phase of Denmark’s reopening on May 6th.
As part of the agreement, a plan is being worked on for people to return to work in what is being called a “gradual normalization”, beginning May 21st.
All the changes are below.
May 6th
(with a vaccine passport)
The assembly ban is increased to 25 for indoor events and 75 for outdoor.
Cinemas and movie theaters can reopen.
Business conferences can resume with capacity capped at 1,000 attendees with participants seated in sections of no more than 500. A coronapas is required regardless of capacity or if the event is indoors or out.
Cultural activities can resume. Venues or theaters are capped at 2,000 attendees for indoor events. People must be seated in sections of 500 with appropriate distancing. A coronapas is required regardless of how many people attend or if the event is held indoors or outside.
Indoor sports can resume for people 18 years old and older but only for non-contact sports. Capacity for sporting events is raised in line with the increased assembly ban. Again, a coronapas is mandated.
Fitness centers, including those in hotels, can reopen. A coronapas is mandated. Facilities must be staffed to ensure compliance and infection prevention measures including cleaning.
Schools
Class size limits are scrapped and full classes can resume for students in grades 5-8 as well as for graduating students in secondary schools, youth and adult education, and vocational education.
For students in areas of Metro Copenhagen where infection rates were too high to return to school on April 21st, outdoor areas can now be used for teaching. Class limits are capped at 30% for those in higher education.
Restaurants
The requirement for a table reservation made at least 30 minutes before arrival is scrapped.
Private Events
Catered events at private banquet halls or similar venues including weddings, wedding anniversaries, confirmations, parties, and birthdays, can resume. Attendance must remain in line with the assembly ban. Access is limited to event participants only. Venues hosting private events can stay open after 11:00 pm and liquor can be served throughout. If held in a restaurant, social distancing requirements and a coronapas are mandated.
Swimming Pools
Swimming pools can reopen. The assembly ban applies capping visitors at 25. A coronapas is also required.
May 21st
(with a vaccine passport)
The assembly ban is raised to 50 for indoor events and 100 for outdoor.
The process of a gradual return to work begins.
Day colleges and evening schools can reopen.
All remaining students in youth and adult education who haven’t already can return to class at 100% capacity. Classroom capacity for students in higher education increases to 50%.
All remaining sports, leisure, and association activities not already opened in previous phases can now resume.
Indoor facilities in amusement parks, zoos, playgrounds etc will reopen (with a vaccine passport)
June 11th
The assembly ban is raised to 100 for indoor events.
The outdoor assembly ban is abolished.
August 1st
The assembly ban is abolished entirely.
The parties have also agreed to begin working on a plan to reopen nightlife venues, many of which have been closed since early last year.
As stated in prior reopening agreements, once the general population has been largely vaccinated, the fate of the coronapas for all activities outside of tourism and travel will decided.
It is also worth noting that in the agreement it is emphasized that it is still too early to see any impacts of the earlier easing of restrictions on April 21st. The reopening plans can be impacted if not scrapped all together should infections rocket back up.
The politicians have tentatively earmarked August 31st for a return to something like normal across society provided the vaccine roll out “proceeds as planned” and there are no new infection explosions. They also caution even then restrictions will remain for large potential super spreader events, nightlife venues, and, of course, travel.
Minister of Justice Nick Hækkerup:
“Even though we in Denmark are in a good place, it is still crucial that we maintain a responsible balance without losing control of the epidemic. Because while the infection situation in Denmark is stable, we see that many other countries have been hit by a third wave and new shutdowns, which we would very much like to avoid in Denmark. The health authorities continue to believe that the reopening should take place carefully and step by step, so that we can respond quickly to increases in infection if necessary.”
Minister of Health Magnus Heunicke:
“Denmark must return to normal conditions as soon as possible, and this must be done responsibly without losing control of the epidemic. Fortunately, we are in a good place with continued low infection rates and few hospitalizations. At the same time, almost every fourth Dane has started to be vaccinated, and there are lots of Danes who get tested regularly. Therefore, we can now open up to more of the activities that many Danes miss.”
You can read the full text of the agreement in Danish HERE.