Denmark: Government relaxes travel guidance for most European countries June 25 /update 11

Event

On Thursday, June 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement announcing a new model for travel guidance for Europe amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Under the new model, countries are either graded as yellow (or open) or orange (countries with high infection rates or where quarantine and/or other restrictions apply). There will be no requirement to self-isolate for 14 days anymore upon return from yellow graded countries. Prior to Thursday's announcement, authorities advised only essential travel to most of Europe except for Germany due to the pandemic. Under the initial guidance, all countries in Europe are in yellow, apart from the UK, Ireland, Malta, Portugal, Romania, and all of Sweden except the region of Västerbotten, which are in orange. The advice will be updated every Thursday.

Most COVID-19 restrictions have now been lifted in Denmark, subject to social distancing criteria. Public gatherings of more than 500 people are not permitted until August 31, and entertainment venues including nightclubs and discotheques remain closed.

As of Saturday, June 27, health authorities have confirmed 12,675 COVID-19 cases and 604 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.