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Danish parliament expected to green-light return of coronapas

The Local Denmark
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Danish parliament expected to green-light return of coronapas
Finansminister Nicolai Wammen (S), sundhedsminister Magnus Heunicke (S), transportminister Benny Engelbrecht (S), adm. dir. i Dansk Industri Lars Sandahl Sørensen og adm. dir. i Dansk Erhverv Brian Mikkelsen, afholder pressemøde om lancering af det nye digitale coronapas, Foran Terminal 3 på Lufthavnstorvet i Københavns Lufthavn fredag den 28. maj 2021. (foto: Martin Sylvest/Ritzau Scanpix 2021).

A majority of political parties supports the government’s plan to reintroduce coronapas (Covid-19 health pass) requirements and to again designate the virus a “critical threat” to society.

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The government on Monday evening announced it wants to reintroduce rules requiring a valid coronapas at bars, restaurants, nightclubs and large events, amid surging cases of the coronavirus in Denmark.

The coronapas is used to document a recent negative Covid-19 test or immunity against the virus due to vaccination or recent recovery from infection.

Covid-19 will meanwhile again be classified as a critical threat to society, a status it had until September this year.

The government’s left wing allies – the Social Liberal (Radikale Venstre), Red Green Alliance and Socialist People’s parties – along with the biggest opposition party, the Liberal (Venstre) party, all confirmed late on Monday they backed the government’s intention to upgrade Covid-19 to “critical threat” status.

The latter two left wing parties along with Venstre will also vote to reinstate coronapas rules, news wire Ritzau reported late on Monday.

“The Liberal party can support health authorities’ recommendation for coronapas in specified areas during a period of time based on increasing infections,” Liberal health spokesperson Martin Geertsen told Ritzau in a written comment.

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The government’s advisory Epidemic Commission earlier on Monday recommended the change of status of Covid-19 from “infectious disease” to a “critical threat” to society. That is a reversal of the move in September, when earlier restrictions were lifted. 

READ ALSO: Danish government confirms plan to reintroduce coronapas

Parliament’s epidemic committee (udvalg in Danish, not to be confused with the Commission, kommission)  is scheduled to meet this morning to discuss the issue. For the status of Covid-19 to be changed to critical, and for coronapas rules to be reimplemented, a majority in parliament must not oppose the change.

As such, the committee, which has representation from all of the parliamentary parties, has a key role in enabling the coronapas to be reinstated.

Red Green Alliance health spokesperson Peder Hvelplund said his party “naturally” supported the “clear” Commission recommendations, but also called for a “clear strategy for how we manage corona through the autumn and winter”.

Health Minister Magnus Heunicke confirmed a valid coronapas would be needed at nightclubs, cafes, on party buses and at indoors venues where food and drink are served, should it again become effective.

The health pass will also be required at indoor events with over 200 spectators and outdoors events with over 2,000 spectators.

The period for which earlier infection can form the basis for a valid coronapas will be reduced from 12 months to 6 months, Heunicke said during the briefing.

Rules requiring the pass will apply to those over the age of 15, in a change from the earlier minimum age of 16.

 

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