Copenhagen Feb 1 (BUS): The Danish public has been freed from almost all epidemic restrictions as of Tuesday, although the rate of coronavirus infection in Denmark continues to rise.
Compulsory wearing of face masks is now a thing of the past, German news agency dpa reported, along with submission of Covid-19 health permits, which provide evidence of vaccination, recovery or negative test results.
Big events can now proceed unhindered, and revelers without a mask can once again crowd the dance floors of nightclubs.
All of this goes hand in hand with the fact that Covid-19 is no longer classified as “socially critical” – a classification that has given the government the power to enact far-reaching containment measures.
Only travelers entering the country must provide proof of vaccination.
Denmark took a similar step in September, but the measures were gradually reintroduced when case numbers began to rise sharply shortly thereafter.
Last week, Denmark recorded between 33,000 and 47,000 new cases per day – numbers that were unimaginable before the emergence of the highly contagious Omicron variant.
However, these numbers did not place a burden on hospitals, as previously feared.
Denmark’s high vaccination rate is seen as the main reason the health system remains in good shape.
“We are going through a critical phase,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said last week when he announced the measures would be lifted.
“From February 1, Denmark will be open – completely open,” she said with a smile. “We are ready to step out of the shadow of coronavirus. We say ‘goodbye’ to restrictions and ‘welcome’ to the life we knew before.”
Besides entry rules, hospitals and nursing homes are also still encouraged to require visitors to wear masks and use the Covid-19 health card in order to protect the vulnerable and the elderly.
MI