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Denmark to scrap face masks from Monday

Ritzau/The Local
Ritzau/The Local - [email protected]
Denmark to scrap face masks from Monday
Sundhedsminister Magnus Heunicke (S), justitsminister Nick Hækkerup (S), Kristian Thulesen Dahl (DF), Søren Pape Poulsen (KF), Mai Villadsen (EL), Ole Birk Olesen (LA) og Sophie Løhde (V) under præsentation af aftale om genåbning efter forhandlinger i Justitsministeriet i København, tidligt om morgenen torsdag den 10. juni 2021. Genåbningen af det danske samfund er diskuteret, efter covid-19 nedlukningen. Der er blandt andet diskuteret udfasning af coronapas og mundbind.. (Foto: Philip Davali/Ritzau Scanpix)

Denmark's government has struck a deal with all but one of the parties in parliament to on Monday end the requirement to wear a face mask in all areas apart from on public transport.

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Under the agreement, struck after 3am following marathon all-night negotiations, the requirement to wear a face mask will be scrapped completely from October 1st.

The coronavirus health pass or coronapas will also begin to be phased out from Monday, when those visiting public libraries and participating in activities run by clubs and voluntary organisations will no longer be required to show one.

From August 1st, a valid coronapas will no longer be needed in theaters, concert venues, indoor sports activities, and a wide range of other venues, from September 1st, you will no longer need to show one in restaurants, the hairdresser or the gym, and on October 1st the pass will be phased out completely. 

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The parties also agreed to extend opening hours of bars and restaurants from this Friday from 11pm to midnight, with closing time further pushed out to 2am on July 15th. 

The agreement also extends how long a negative PCR test provides a valid coronapas to 96 hours. 

"It is a marked opening of Danish society," Magnus Heunicke, Denmark's health minister said early on Thursday morning. 

"The infection is on the way down, 2.5 million people have received at least one vaccination dose, and the good weather is working in our favour," he added in a press release

The government reached agreement with the Liberal Party, the Danish People's Party, the Socialist People's Party, the Social Liberal Party, the Red Green Alliance, the Conservatives, the Liberal Alliance and the Alternative. Only the populist New Right Party stood outside the deal. 

"This means that you can now go down and buy a litre of milk without having a face mask on," Kristian Thulesen Dahl, leader of the Danish People's Party, said at the press conference. 

Here are the significant dates in the reopening agreement: 

June 11th: Opening hours of bars and restaurants extended to midnight 

June 12th: Number of spectators allowed at Parken football stadium increased from 15,900 to 25,000 

June 14th: Face masks no longer required apart from when standing on public transport 

June 14th: Coronapas no longer required in public libraries, and activities around voluntary organisations or clubs

June 14th: Kindergartens, primary schools, after school clubs, youth and adult education expected to return to normal timetable

July 1st:  Restaurants where customers "essentially sit down" no longer need to meet area requirements or follow distance recommendations 

July 15th: Opening hours of bars and restaurants extended to 2am

September 1st: Nightclubs and discos can reopen for those with valid coronapas 

October 1st: Coronapas no longer required anywhere 

 

 

 

 

 

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