Today in Denmark: A round-up of the latest news on Wednesday
Find out what's going on in Denmark today with The Local's short round-up of the news in less than five minutes.
Political push for lifting of lockdown
The government has so far given no firm plan on what will happen when the current lockdown-like Covid-19 restrictions expire on February 28th. But other parties in parliament are asking for some easing of the current rules.
That includes the Socialist People’s Party (SF), part of the alliance which props up the minority government. SF wants all school students to return to classes on March 1st. So far, only younger age groups have been allowed to return (although they are off for the winter break this week).
Broadcaster DR has suggested that a parliamentary majority not including the government could force the issue, such is the gathering support for easing the lockdown.
Health minister Magnus Heunicke has told DR he “hopes” that it will be possible to ease measures on March 1st.
New border region travel restrictions take effect
Tightened rules for people travelling into Denmark from border regions take effect from today. People who live and work in bordering regions of Germany and Sweden have faced more flexible entry requirements than those in the general restrictions. That remains the case, but the new rules are more stringent than before.
You can find full detail on the new restrictions for border travel here.
International student sent to migrant detention centre after overstaying visa
We reported yesterday on an international student who belatedly realised her visa was about to expire just before New Year, when authorities were closed for the holidays.
She attempted to correct the problem and called police herself, but that did not prevent her from being detained at Ellebæk, a facility for migrants without legal right to stay in Denmark. She was later deported.
A member of parliament told me he felt her treatment was “out of proportion” and has questioned the use of Ellebæk – which has previously come in for strong criticism from the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture – for a student with a visa issue.
Greenland calls elections
Greenland's parliament voted yesterday in favour of holding new elections in the spring, after weeks of political turmoil triggered by a controversial mining project.
The world's largest island, an autonomous territory of the Danish kingdom, will hold a snap election sometime in the spring, after its parliament, the Inatsisartut, adopted a motion put forward by the opposition, news wire AFP writes.
"Now all we need is to find a date for the election," Greenland's head of government Kim Kielsen told parliament.
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Political push for lifting of lockdown
The government has so far given no firm plan on what will happen when the current lockdown-like Covid-19 restrictions expire on February 28th. But other parties in parliament are asking for some easing of the current rules.
That includes the Socialist People’s Party (SF), part of the alliance which props up the minority government. SF wants all school students to return to classes on March 1st. So far, only younger age groups have been allowed to return (although they are off for the winter break this week).
Broadcaster DR has suggested that a parliamentary majority not including the government could force the issue, such is the gathering support for easing the lockdown.
Health minister Magnus Heunicke has told DR he “hopes” that it will be possible to ease measures on March 1st.
New border region travel restrictions take effect
Tightened rules for people travelling into Denmark from border regions take effect from today. People who live and work in bordering regions of Germany and Sweden have faced more flexible entry requirements than those in the general restrictions. That remains the case, but the new rules are more stringent than before.
You can find full detail on the new restrictions for border travel here.
International student sent to migrant detention centre after overstaying visa
We reported yesterday on an international student who belatedly realised her visa was about to expire just before New Year, when authorities were closed for the holidays.
She attempted to correct the problem and called police herself, but that did not prevent her from being detained at Ellebæk, a facility for migrants without legal right to stay in Denmark. She was later deported.
A member of parliament told me he felt her treatment was “out of proportion” and has questioned the use of Ellebæk – which has previously come in for strong criticism from the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture – for a student with a visa issue.
Greenland calls elections
Greenland's parliament voted yesterday in favour of holding new elections in the spring, after weeks of political turmoil triggered by a controversial mining project.
The world's largest island, an autonomous territory of the Danish kingdom, will hold a snap election sometime in the spring, after its parliament, the Inatsisartut, adopted a motion put forward by the opposition, news wire AFP writes.
"Now all we need is to find a date for the election," Greenland's head of government Kim Kielsen told parliament.
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