15 March: what will open and what is next?

Negotiations ongoing today concerning a more long-term plan and the next steps in the reopening process in Denmark.

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Spread is decreasing, hospitalisations are down, and more are getting vaccinated every day.

Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, has called the opposition parties to the negotiation table to present a long-term plan for when those parts of the Danish society that are still closed may reopen.

The current restrictions are in place until 6 April. She hopes to be able to announce more later today.

Yesterday it was announced that as of 15 March:

5th to 8th grade can start going back to school with physical presence at school one day a week, preferably with outdoors activities. This concerns those parts of the country that did not reopen as of 1 March

9th grade and other graduate classes may return to school 50 percent of the time, though at present not as much in Region Hovedstaden due to higher infection rates in that region, presently the municipality with the highest rate of infection is Ishøj, south of Copenhagen

On the islands, those that are not connected by a bridge, there are no limitations to the return to school or high school or other youth institutions

Efterskoler and højskoler and other institutions with on-site boarders can reopen in the whole country

All those who return to school etc. are encouraged to get a PCR test regularly

Large shops with more than 5,000 m2 can let more people enter their shops than what had been announced when shops were reopened as of 1 March when it was by appointment only

A plan for the gradual phasing out of the rest of the current restrictions (all restrictions are in place until the 6 April) is being negotiated with the government’s opposition parties today.

The Danish Prime Minister hopes to present the plan later today.

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This means that maybe also the border question will be discussed as the current border restrictions are to end on the 6 April.

The Danish Minister of Justice has announced that all the world should not remain red after the 6 April. Red is the colour indicating that travel to the country in question is strongly disadvised.

He also said that more would be announced before Easter but did not give any precise indication as to when the border question would be negotiated.

Current restrictions in place until 6 April (after Easter):

Right to gather up to 5 people

Hairdressers, fitness centres and massage clinics are closed as well as other liberal businesses

Higher education such as universities, business school etc. remain closed

Shopping malls are closed

All indoor sports and leisure facilities, cultural institutions are closed, this means all sports facilities, swimming pools etc.

Bars, restaurants, night clubs etc are closed and may open only for take-away

Border restrictions are in place