The Government (the Social Democratic Party (Socialdemokratiet)) and the Liberal Party of Denmark (Venstre), the Danish People's Party (Dansk Folkeparti), the Social Liberal Party (Det Radikale Venstre), the Socialist People's Party (Socialistisk Folkeparti), the Red-Green Alliance (Enhedslisten), the Conservative People's Party (Det Konservative Folkeparti), the New Right (Nye Borgelige), the Liberal Alliance and the Alternative (Alternativet) have agreed on the following initiatives.
Phase two of the reopening
Based on the advice given by the Expert Group advising the SSI (Statens Serum Institut) and the Economic Expert Group, the political parties have agreed on phase two of the reopening of the Danish society. In the week starting 11 May 2020 (week 20), the Expert Group advising the SSI will update its calculations. If the assumptions for phase two of the reopening change in consequence of those calculations, the political parties will discuss the matter.
The Danish population has complied with the directions given by the authorities on social distancing, good hygiene etc. Therefore, it is now possible to continue the gradual reopening of the Danish society.
In addition, the reopening decision is based on the following five elements:
- An offensive testing strategy comprising the testing of both a cohort of healthcare staff and a cohort of the general population, the tracking and tracing of outbreaks of coronavirus and home isolation of people with coronavirus. A representative portion of the population will be tested at regular intervals based on a clear plan.
- Widespread use of personal protective equipment to protect vulnerable population groups.
- The guidelines of the health authorities on physical distance.
- The guidelines of the health authorities on good hygiene.
- Prevention of super-spreading events.
Individual enterprises comprised by the phase-two reopening may find it inexpedient to open up. In that case, enterprises previously comprised by the ban and therefore closed so far may choose to stay closed, and such enterprises will continue to receive a refund under the current scheme of up to 80 per cent of their overheads. The political parties have agreed to discuss a gradual phasing out of the temporary relief packages in tandem with the controlled reopening of the Danish society. The Government will call for at debate about the phasing out based on a discussion paper from an expert group.
In this light, the political parties have agreed to launch the following phase-two initiatives:
Full reopening of the retail sector (11 May 2020)
The entire retail sector, including shopping centres, can reopen if they follow the guidelines agreed by the sector partnership: Guidelines for a careful layout of shopping-goods shops and other retail shops in light of the outbreak of COVID-19.
Restaurants and cafes will slowly come to life again (18 May 2020)
Restaurants, cafes and similar establishments can start serving food and drinks if they follow specific guidelines on opening hours, physical distancing, etc.
Pupils in the sixth to tenth grades back to school (18 May 2020)
Older children are allowed back to school. Local authorities and schools are given flexibility to make detailed practical plans in compliance with the health protection guidelines to be agreed by the sector partnership. This also applies to after-school clubs.
Classes and exams requiring physical attendance. Moreover, STU (special needs youth education), EUD (vocational education and training) and FGU (preparatory basic education) will open up (18 May 2020)
Private sector employees working from home
It has been accepted that a large number of private sector employees will again report for work as usual at their workplaces.
Professional sports matches with no audience
This reopening phase comprises the entire professional sports industry, which can open right away.
Borrowing from and returning items to libraries (18 May 2020)
Sports clubs and association activities – outdoors
Outdoor activities are now allowed if performed in a manner deemed safe from a public health perspective.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark and other religious communities can reopen (18 May 2020)
The sector partnership for churches and religious communities must agree on a plan for the reopening in a manner deemed safe from a public health perspective.
Completion of annual education programmes at continuation schools (18 May 2020)
Detailed guidelines will be drafted together with the continuation schools and the health authorities to contain the risk of infection as much as possible. Moreover, a self-isolation plan must be prepared for how COVID-19 positive persons and possibly also their families can isolate themselves.
Zoo parks in which visitors move around by car can open
The sector partnership must agree on detailed guidelines.
Other measures
The Government will make continuous adaptations to the public sector, including the armed forces, the police, social services providers, inspectorates and providers of certificate courses.
As the reopening progresses, the Danish Working Environment Authority (Arbejdstilsynet) and other public inspectorates and supervisory authorities must monitor developments.
The political parties note that the Government is currently having a dialogue with Denmark's neighbouring countries and will reconsider the temporary border control and entry restrictions as well as the stricter travel advice. The Government will make an announcement in this respect on or before 1 June 2020.