The new reopening measures are by and large similar to the recommendations that came earlier in the week.
Smaller shops throughout the country can be allowed to open their doors, outdoor sports and association activities with up to 25 people can be resumed, and then large students in selected parts of the country are allowed to return.
These are the main points in an agreement on the partial reopening of Denmark, which begins on Monday.
The agreement was entered into on Wednesday morning between the Social Democratic government Radical Left, SF and the Unity List, while the parties in the blue bloc have not been involved due to disagreements about the extent of the reopening.
Health Minister Magnus Heunicke (S) expresses satisfaction that the reopening is based on the authorities’ recommendations.
– There are a number of uncertainty elements in the calculations. We have presented this openly. Should it turn out that there is room for further opening, then we are ready to discuss, says Magnus Heunicke and adds about the health consequences:
– The agreement will mean that small 900 will be hospitalized for a short period. The health authorities say they can handle it.
Here are the main points of the upcoming reopening:
- Stores : Specialty stores across the country – such as stores that sell clothes, shoes and books – can reopen if they are under 5,000 square feet. However, it will also be possible to open the larger stores by prior appointment. There will be stricter square meter requirements, so there are fewer customers. The reopening does not apply to department stores in department stores.
- Sports and culture : Organized outdoor sports and association activities as well as outdoor cultural institutions throughout the country reopen up to 25 people. There will be requirements for negative coronate test.
- Graduating students: In selected municipalities in West and North Jutland, graduating students in primary schools, secondary education and adult education are allowed to return every two weeks. Testing is a prerequisite.
- Continuation schools: In selected municipalities in West and North Jutland, continuation schools reopen with full attendance based on a model with special infection prevention measures.
- Bornholm: Bornholmers can look forward to a major reopening of the entire primary school and all other educations as well as liberal service professions as hairdressers.
The new reopening measures are largely the same as the recommendations made by the so-called task force on Monday. The group consists of, among others, the health authorities, the national police and a number of ministries, and its recommendation is on top of calculations from an expert group under the Statens Serum Institut.
More students may return in March
Graduating students in other parts of the country than Bornholm and North and West Jutland can return in early March and April, if the numbers allow it, says Minister for Children and Education Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil (S).
She says that a decision must be made on 5 March whether more students can return. Whether they are allowed depends on the infection situation, according to the Minister of Children and Education.
– We must not put ourselves in a situation where the infection increases and we lose control. That is why we must listen to what the experts say, says Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil
New calculations must also be made for the reopening of continuing schools and folk high schools throughout the country. If the infection is still low, they can, according to SF’s chairman , Pia Olsen Dyhr, return in mid-March.
