Monday, March 1st, 2021
Test capacities increased
Denmark opens retail trade
In Denmark, the particularly contagious coronavirus mutant B.1.1.7 now dominates. Nevertheless, it has been possible to reduce the number of infections. After two months in lockdown, citizens can do a little more as of today. In contrast, the trend in our northern neighbor Sweden is going in the opposite direction.
In Germany's northernmost neighbor, Denmark, the majority of retailers will be able to welcome customers into their shops again from Monday. After more than two months of corona-related closure, shops with an area of less than 5000 square meters are allowed to reopen, provided they are not in a shopping center – they will remain closed for the time being. Larger shops such as furniture stores are also allowed to reopen their doors, albeit strictly limited: customers must have booked a time in advance in order to be able to shop in these shops.
Open-air cultural institutions – for example zoos, amusement parks and open-air museums – are now allowed to receive visitors again if the guests can present a corona test that is no more than 72 hours old. The meeting restriction for outdoor and organized sports and club activities will be increased from 5 to a maximum of 25 participants.
The only easing of the Danish lockdown measures so far was in February that the children could return to their schools up to fourth grade. In North and West Jutland, some of the final classes are now allowed to return, and on the Baltic Sea island of Bornholm even all pupils are allowed to return. Hairdressers and other service providers are also allowed to reopen on Bornholm – but certain test requirements apply to them as well as to schools.
For the easing, Denmark is increasing its already good test capacities in order to be able to do a maximum of 400,000 PCR or corona rapid tests per day. The number of new infections in Denmark has fallen sharply since mid-December. The government in Copenhagen has therefore decided, together with its support parties in parliament, to loosen some of the strict lockdown measures – despite concerns about the spreading British variant of the corona virus, which is now the dominant one in Denmark.
Borders remain tight for the time being
Other measures will remain in place up to and including Easter – including the strict entry restrictions. As a result, the Danish borders are as good as tight for people from abroad, which is why it will be difficult for tourists from Germany, among others, with this year's Easter holiday in Denmark. In addition, restaurants, cafés and pubs, but also fitness studios and other facilities have been closed in Denmark since the end of 2020.
As of today, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen wants to discuss how the long-term path out of the corona measures should look with the heads of the other parliamentary parties. She hopes that she can then get the opposition on board – for the current easing, her Social Democrats had only reached an agreement with their left-wing supporter parties.
Meanwhile, things are going in the other direction with our Danish neighbor Sweden: Due to the continued high spread of infection, restaurants, bars and other restaurants there have to close at 8:30 p.m. on Monday. Competitive events with the exception of top-class sport are temporarily prohibited. In the Corona crisis, Sweden took a much-noticed special route with less strict restrictions on public life. Stricter measures are now gradually being introduced – but so far these are still quite permissive compared to Germany.
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