Forbes– Denmark’s prime minister Mette Frederiksen has announced the end of virtually all Covid-19 measures within the country in what she called a “milestone” moment.
IT'S HAPPENING!
— PeterSweden (@PeterSweden7) January 26, 2022
Denmark just announced they will be REMOVING all restrictions, including covid passports and face mask requirements.
Life is going back to normal.
The removal of restrictions including requirements for face masks on public transit and the so-called ‘vaccine passport’ to enter bars, restaurants and museums will apply from February 1, pending parliamentary approval.
Denmark wants to end virus restrictions and reclassify Covid-19 as a disease that no longer poses a threat to society https://t.co/SrnUJJ7LMk
— Bloomberg Economics (@economics) January 26, 2022
However, entry rules requiring a negative test result from some travelers will remain in place for four more weeks. Frederiksen also said local authorities can require the use of face masks or the vaccine passport in hospitals and care homes for the time being.
Copenhagen Denmark 🇩🇰 🔥👊 The World says Enough 👊 pic.twitter.com/woajx8e3he
— 𝙍𝙄𝙎𝙀𝙈𝙀𝙇𝘽𝙊𝙐𝙍𝙉𝙀 (@risemelbourne) January 22, 2022
No longer a “critical threat”
The decision follows a recommendation from the Danish Epidemic Commission to remove the classification of Covid-19 as a “critical threat” to society. Despite Denmark recording record daily numbers of positive test results in recent weeks, hospitalization rates are under control.
Denmark's Epidemic Committee says COVID-19 should no longer be categorized as a "socially critical disease," recommends the lifting of nearly all restrictions – DR
— BNO Newsroom (@BNODesk) January 25, 2022
“The decline in (hospital) admissions is probably due to the effect of booster vaccination as well as the lesser ability of Omicron to elicit serious illness,” stated the commission’s letter.
Frederiksen echoed the commission’s comments in a press conference announcing the changes. “It is due to the Danes’ goodwill to be vaccinated—also with a third dose—that the restrictions can now be lifted. With the high vaccine adherence, it is possible to break the connection between the number of infected and the number of hospitalized.”
So are Fauci and CNN now going to call the entire nation of Denmark science-denying conspiracy theorists, or…? https://t.co/T4EdTOI6TZ
— Lauren Chen (@TheLaurenChen) January 26, 2022
It’s a trend that other Scandinavian countries look set to follow. Swedish authorities have already scrapped the testing requirement while the majority of national restrictions will be relaxed on February 9 if the situation allows. In Norway, the government is expected to announce a relaxation of national measures next week.