Denmark: Health Ministry to lift restrictions on public gatherings from May 10 /update 10

Event

On Tuesday, April 21, the Danish Health Ministry announced that they will begin lifting restrictions on public gatherings in place to combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from Sunday, May 10. As such, the number of people allowed to meet will rise from ten to 500. The new measure, once in effect, will remain until September 1.

On April 20, certain businesses were allowed to resume operations, loosening earlier lockdown measures imposed to contain the spread of the virus. Affected businesses include hair salons, beauty salons, and driving schools. On April 15, kindergartens, crèches, and primary schools for first to fifth grades reopened, enabling parents to return to work. The closure of secondary schools, shopping centres, churches, libraries, and club premises currently remain in effect. Denmark's borders also remain closed until May 10 to all tourists and foreigners who "cannot demonstrate a credible reason to enter." Danish citizens and foreign nationals working in Denmark will remain free to enter and leave the country, and the transport of goods will not be affected. According to the government, there are plans for restaurants, bars, and cafes to reopen in the "next phase" but these establishments will remain closed in the meantime. 

Air Greenland's suspension of all international and domestic passenger flights remains in effect until Thursday, April 30. The Greenlandic government's ban on all travel to and from the capital city of Nuuk, and nearby settlements, continues to remain in effect until April 30.

To date, there are 7515 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 364 associated deaths nationwide. Further international spread of COVID-19 is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.  
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the virus.