Denmark to bring superstores and department stores close to normal from Tuesday
Denmark is to next week relax some of its coronavirus restrictions for shops and shopping centres, with large department and DIY stores no longer required to meet customers by appointment or impose a queuing system.
In a press release issued on Friday evening, the Ministry of Trade and Industry said that it was changing the area requirements so that large stores of over 10,000 square metres, which currently can serve a maximum of 250 customers at a time, will be able to serve as many as they like, so long as each customer has 10 square metres of space.
The government is also removing the distinction between supermarkets, department stores and shopping malls, so that each are treated the same.
The new rules will come into force on Tuesday April 13th.
Simon Kollerup, Denmark's trade minister, said that the decision to relax restrictions had been made possible by the current relatively low rates of infection in Denmark.
"While other countries in Europe are talking about closure, we in Denmark are moving towards brighter times.That is why we can now, among other things, relax the area requirements for retail. This will bring more life to pedestrianised streets, but also mean that you as a store owner or customer will find it easier to understand the rules," he said.
In the press release, the ministry stressed that it was still necessary to wear a face mask, and that shops should still be arranged in a way so that the risk of infection is minimized.
Henrik Hyltoft at the Danish Chamber of Commerce welcomed the decision.
"The government has listened, and we are finally seeing a breakthrough in terms of opening up to something that is almost reminiscent of normal conditions," he said. "And that is exactly what we have been longing for. The large stores in particular have been hit hard by the very high square meter requirements."
The decision to relax the requirements was made on the basis of an assessment by the health authorities.
Shopping malls and department stores with an area of 15,000 square meters or less can open from Tuesday.
Here are the new area requirements:
- 0-1999 square metres: 4 square metres per customer
- 2000-4999 square metres: 6 square metres per customer, max 500 cusomers
- 5000-9999 square metres: 8 square metres per customer, max 833 customers
- 10,000+ square metres: 10 square metres per customer, max 1250 customers
A fact box in Danish is available here.
Comments
See Also
In a press release issued on Friday evening, the Ministry of Trade and Industry said that it was changing the area requirements so that large stores of over 10,000 square metres, which currently can serve a maximum of 250 customers at a time, will be able to serve as many as they like, so long as each customer has 10 square metres of space.
The government is also removing the distinction between supermarkets, department stores and shopping malls, so that each are treated the same.
The new rules will come into force on Tuesday April 13th.
Simon Kollerup, Denmark's trade minister, said that the decision to relax restrictions had been made possible by the current relatively low rates of infection in Denmark.
"While other countries in Europe are talking about closure, we in Denmark are moving towards brighter times.That is why we can now, among other things, relax the area requirements for retail. This will bring more life to pedestrianised streets, but also mean that you as a store owner or customer will find it easier to understand the rules," he said.
In the press release, the ministry stressed that it was still necessary to wear a face mask, and that shops should still be arranged in a way so that the risk of infection is minimized.
Henrik Hyltoft at the Danish Chamber of Commerce welcomed the decision.
"The government has listened, and we are finally seeing a breakthrough in terms of opening up to something that is almost reminiscent of normal conditions," he said. "And that is exactly what we have been longing for. The large stores in particular have been hit hard by the very high square meter requirements."
The decision to relax the requirements was made on the basis of an assessment by the health authorities.
Shopping malls and department stores with an area of 15,000 square meters or less can open from Tuesday.
Here are the new area requirements:
- 0-1999 square metres: 4 square metres per customer
- 2000-4999 square metres: 6 square metres per customer, max 500 cusomers
- 5000-9999 square metres: 8 square metres per customer, max 833 customers
- 10,000+ square metres: 10 square metres per customer, max 1250 customers
A fact box in Danish is available here.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.