Denmark to say farewell to COVID restrictions
All remaining restrictions to be lifted in two weeks
🇩🇰
As of September 10, all remaining COVID restrictions in Denmark will end. The Sundhedsministeriet (Health Ministry) has announced in a press release today that COVID will no longer be considered a “socially critical disease” as of September 10. The designation allowed the government to levy special rules and restrictions to try and contain the virus. Once the designation expires, so does the legal basis for the remaining restrictions.
The health ministry says they decided not to extend the “socially critical disease” designation on the coronavirus after consulting the professional reference group, the Epidemic Commission, and the health authorities. It says Denmark’s high vaccination rate and “strong epidemic control” were also major factors.
Minister of Health Magnus Heunicke:
“The epidemic is under control, we have record high vaccination rates. Therefore, on September 10, we can drop some of the special rules we have had to introduce in the fight against COVID19. The government has promised not to hold on to the measures any longer than was necessary, and we are there now. But even though we are in a good place right now, we are not out of the epidemic. And the government will not hesitate to act quickly if the pandemic again threatens important functions in our society.”
The Health Minister has since posted a long thread on Twitter explaining why the decision was made and what happens going forward.
“At our press conference on Monday, I stated that in dialogue with external experts and agencies, we would discuss just this. We have now completed this assessment and our conclusion is that we will not extend the classification of COVID as a socially critical disease. Thus, the last of our most important restrictions expire on the same day (Sept 10). As you know, we have already abolished others. This can only be done because we have a very high vaccination effort and have such a strong epidemic control.”
Heunicke adds that the hard work fighting COVID is not over and you just have to look out into the world to see why we must continue to be vigilant.
“If there are sudden, serious developments, new variants appear or something else that threatens epidemic control in Denmark, we will not hesitate to intervene again. But the special rules of the Epidemic Act should not be the new normal in society. We continue with a strong epidemic monitoring, testing, sequencing, and wastewater testing, etc., along with an effective vaccination rollout and a readiness to intervene should it become necessary.”
Heunicke says that personally he has been working towards this day.
“From the beginning of the epidemic, we have been deeply dependent on the population's support for efforts and restrictions, as well as the Folketing's support for using the tools that have been necessary. It is equally important that we are prepared to give up the tools when they are no longer needed. And we are there now.”
The change will also mean that as of September 10 parishes (districts within a municipality) across Denmark will no longer face automatic closures if they surpass three COVID criteria. Currently, there are five parishes that have been forced to lockdown.
Below are all the remaining COVID restrictions left in Denmark. Most would have been repealed as of September 1 anyway. The remaining restrictions that would have been lifted on October 1 are now abolished on September 10.
September 1st
All remaining restrictions on restaurant opening hours, alcohol sales, and indoor social distancing is abolished.
Discos, nightclubs, and other nightlife venues can reopen. A coronapas is required to enter but no other restrictions apply.
All requirements for hand sanitizer and COVID signage for retail and all other indoor areas is lifted.
Retail and grocery stores 2,000 m2 and larger can remove all caps on the number of customers allowed inside.
Coronapas requirements largely come to an end except for nightlife venues and some indoor and outdoor events.
All testing requirements for physically being at work and for those whom work in a daycare is rescinded EXCEPT for anyone who is not vaccinated.
September 10 (formerly October 1)
The coronapas requirement for nightlife venues like discos and dance clubs is lifted.
Coronapas requirements for events with more than 2,000 spectators will be lifted.
The story will be updated as other impacts of the change become known.