Denmark Is Scrapping Nearly All Covid-19 Restrictions
Denmark is no longer classing the COVID-19 outbreak as a ‘socially critical disease’.
Denmark is no longer classing the Covid-19 outbreak as a 'socially critical disease' despite the Omicron variant wreaking havoc across the world.
The Scandinavian country has a population of around 5.8 million with an average of 50,000 daily cases, but it appears admissions to intensive care units are dropping.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen conceded future variants of the disease could lead the government to re-evaluate restrictions.
"I dare not say that it is a final goodbye to restrictions," she said. "We do not know what will happen in the fall [autumn], whether there will be a new variant."
Denmark has previously scaled back restrictions, however reinstated them when infections soared.
Recent data indicates 81.1 per cent of Denmark's eligible population is fully vaccinated and more than 60 per cent have received a booster shot.
The new rules mean masks will no longer be required in shops, restaurants and on public transport. Social distancing measures and caps on indoor gatherings are also winding up.
Danish people who spoke to the BBC seemed to be thrilled to see the end of restrictions.
Henrik Parker said: "Finally we can move on."
Pia Clement added: "We also need to go back to normal. Otherwise it might never end."
Rikke explained: "I'm not against restrictions, but I feel like it's the right time to lift them. Not a lot of people are in the hospital with it any more and a lot of people have had it already."
Check-in via the country's COVID app is also no longer required, however individual event organisers still have the option of making it a condition of entry.
The country's health authorities urged the population to continue to get tested regularly.
There will be some restrictions that will remain. Unvaccinated travellers will be banned from crossing the border from outside Denmark's free travel zone, and people will still be required to wear face masks in hospitals and care homes.
Other countries in the region are going down a similar path to Denmark and attempting to move on from restrictions.
England no longer mandates mask wearing or check-ins and ended its recommendation that people work from home. Its remaining legal requirement is that people self-isolate after receiving a positive test.
Finland will also end Covid-19 restrictions this month.
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