Denmark tables full reopening plans

Vaccine passports and testing play key roles

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A majority of parties in the Danish parliament have reached an agreement on a return to a post-pandemic normal in Denmark. 

COVID restrictions will continue to be eased every two weeks with an eye on fluctuating conditions and the possibility of having to enact swift local restrictions and lockdowns as infection flare-ups dictate. 

The easing of restrictions, according to the agreement, and confirmed by the Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, will work toward the point when everyone in Denmark over 50 years of age has had a first vaccination. At that point, Frederiksen says, “with a few exceptions”, Denmark can fully reopen. 

“We agree that it is a very, very important goal to have everyone over the age of 50 vaccinated. However, it is based on some assumptions that we can keep the infection down and use a vaccine passport.” 

Restrictions will still apply to large events considered to be a super-spreader risk, including nightlife venues, and travel related restrictions.

The agreement also stipulates a major reopening role for vaccine passports. As soon as next week, the ‘MyHealth’ app will function as a simple corona passport until the end of May when the more advanced digital app becomes available. This will eventually be a daily passport, allowing holders to go to events, see a movie, get a tattoo, have a haircut, or dine in a restaurant. For those who aren’t comfortable with the digital version, a physical vaccine passport can be mailed out. 

A majority of Denmark’s political parties have also agreed on a “sunset clause” for the vaccine passports “for activities other than tourism or travel.” The political parties in May and June will discuss the passport and “take a position on its continued scope and use.”

Here is how each phase of the gradual re-opening will work. 

April 2nd. 

• Students in grades 5 through 8 can return to class at half classroom capacity, so every other week. The same applies for upper secondary, adult education, and graduate students. 

• All other higher education students can return with 20% classroom capacity. First year students are to get priority. 

• Students will also be able to meet in physically in groups in libraries and other areas of their school with social distancing and “infection reducing measures.” 

• Researchers and PhD stud teachers will have access to laboratories as needed for their research. 

*Guidelines around social distancing, mask use, hygiene, and mandated testing all remain in place*

April 6th. 

• Denmark’s ‘liberal professions’ can reopen. This includes hairdressers, masseurs etc. 

*Guidelines regarding social distancing, mask use, and other infections prevention measures remain in place* 

April 13th 

• Shopping centers, department stores, etc with a floor space of 15,000 m2 or less can reopen 

*The reopening does not apply to movie theaters, restaurants, and cafés, etc located in the shopping centers*

*Shopping centers, department stores, etc in municipalities with high infection numbers are also not included in the reopening* 

April 21st 

• Large shopping centers, malls, and department stores can fully reopen.

• Organized indoor sports for children and young people under the age of 18 can resume, 

With a vaccine passport

• Outdoor dining at restaurants and cafes can take place

• museums, art galleries, and libraries will reopen

May 6th 

With a vaccine passport

• Indoor dining in restaurants and cafes can resume 

• Cinemas and movie theaters can reopen

• Indoor conferences can resume

• Other indoor spaces for cultural activities can be utilized

• Indoor sports for adults over 18 years old.  *Exactly which sports still needs to be worked out* 

May 21st. 

• Day colleges and evening schools can reopen 

• Indoor facilities in amusement parks, zoos, playgrounds etc will reopen

With a vaccine passport 

• All remaining sports, leisure, and association activities not already opened in previous phases can now resume. 

The parties have also agreed, based on professional advice from the Epidemic Commission, a plan for phasing out the assembly ban. This will be presented by mid-April.  

An expert group with representatives across a number of sectors will be struck to work with government and health authorities on proposals to safely hold large assemblies and events. 

The fly in the ointment continues to be infection numbers, especially with more contagious variants. Built into the reopening agreement is the ability to rapidly enact local lockdowns to address outbreaks. In order to facilitate this quickly, the government will work to give municipalities the power to take strong local action and force closures as needed. 

The reopening agreement also lays out a three phase COVID testing strategy. In phase one, reopening is aided by massive testing using PCR and rapid tests. Phase two involves targeted testing “where needed.” The third phase testing moves to becoming a part of “epidemic surveillance” using random testing to monitor for new mutations, infection spread, etc. This will be backed up by wastewater testing and “possibly other methods.” 

Lastly, the agreement stipulates the government will work to ensure a stable supply of vaccines for Denmark both now and in future years. 

The agreement in full can be read HERE in Danish.