Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced on January 26 Denmark would be throwing out most of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions it placed, including mask mandates.
Restrictions currently in place are for the public to wear masks on public transportations, in restaurants, in shops, and people entering healthcare facilities and retirement homes, according to the Associated Press.
However, following the February 1 change of restrictions, masks will only be required in hospitals, healthcare facilities, and homes for the elderly. “We say goodbye to the restrictions and welcome the life we knew before,” Frederiksen said. “As of Feb. 1, Denmark will be open.”
The successful vaccine program proved a “super-weapon”, Frederiksen said. “It has given us a solid defense against infection that continues. “That’s why the government decided that coronavirus should no longer be considered a threatening disease for society.”
That means the de facto lifting of all domestic restrictions, including the use of a vaccine pass, mask-wearing, and early closings for bars and restaurants. Denmark intends however to keep some border measures in place for another four weeks, including tests and/or quarantine depending on travelers’ immunity status.
The Scandinavian country had already lifted all restrictions on September 10, before re-introducing the use of a COVID pass at the beginning of November and later bringing in new restrictions as cases soared again. In neighboring Sweden, authorities announced that current restrictions would remain in place for at least another two weeks.
