A new rule in response to increasing coronavirus infections in Denmark means that people entering the country in order to work or visit family are likely to have to present a negative Covid-19 test at the border.

The rule states that everyone entering Denmark from countries classified as 'high-risk' must produce a recent negative Covid-19 test.

People who live in countries to which Denmark advises against travel are already required to provide a so-called 'worthy' (anerkendelsesværdigt) reason for entering Denmark. This can include work or family reasons but not tourism. Detailed guidance can be found on the Danish police website. 

Now, arrivals from the EU and the Schengen area as well as the United Kingdom must also present proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before entry, if they are coming from a 'high-risk' country.

The test requirement also applies to people from outside of the EU, Schengen and UK unless they are currently exempted. Check if your country is exempted here.

People who live permanently and Denmark and Danish citizens are not subject to the rule.

The new restrictions will in their first few days be enforced with discretion allowing time for people to comply with the rules, the National Police said in a statement.

The Ministry of Employment has said the decision was in response to “increased spread of (Covid-19) infection and local outbreaks”.

In a statement, the ministry wrote that, during the last week, 172 coronavirus cases in people from Poland were detected by State Serum Institute, Denmark’s infectious disease agency. That comprised 5.2 percent of the all cases detected in Denmark during the period.

The cases “coincide with” Danish Patient Safety Authority information showing localised outbreaks traced to workplaces including construction sites and abattoirs at which EU migrant workers are commonly employed.

Due to this, migrant workforce from “high-risk countries” will be required to produce a negative coronavirus test in order to enter Denmark for the purpose of working, the ministry said. The test must have been taken less than 72 hours before travelling to Denmark.

The same requirement now applies to anyone entering Denmark from a 'high risk' country on the basis of a 'worthy purpose'.

READ ALSO:

• Denmark announces new coronavirus restrictions: Here's what you need to know
• How Denmark's face mask requirement will work at universities
• New Danish assembly limit comes into effect: These are the details to know

For EU and Schengen ares countries plus the UK, 'high-risk' is defined in line with EU recommendations  to coordinate measures affecting free movement adopted on October 13th. All ‘grey’ and ‘red’ countries are considered high-risk.

The list of countries can be checked via the Danish police website. 

Exemptions will apply for commuters who cross the border daily as well as for goods transport workers such as lorry drivers, so as not to disrupt supply lines.

People resident in border regions (all of Norway, in Schleswig-Holstein in Germany and in Skåne, Halland or Blekinge in Sweden) are also exempted. The remaining parts of Germany and Sweden are also not considered high risk as of October 26th, according to the National Police.

People in transit are still able to travel through Denmark and are not encompassed by the requirement, regardless of place of residence and means of transport.

Additionally, the government is working on a rule enabling employers to require employees to produce a test after arriving in Denmark. A new law must be passed if bosses are to be given the authority to demand to see a Covid test and its result, the ministry writes.    

Other initiatives include increased mobile test stations at relevant work locations and increased Covid-19 related inspections of working and lodging conditions amongst foreign workforces, the statement adds.

“We must do what we can to prevent corona from spreading,” employment minister Peter Hummelgaard said via the ministry statement.

“We have to do this to turn around the serious development in infections we have unfortunately seen in this country and also in many countries around us. We are therefore introducing a number of requirements for foreign workforces,” Hummelgaard continued.

“We need to get on top of this virus which unfortunately is far from defeated,” he also said.