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.
Denmark must ride out the coronavirus crisis as gently as possible. Due to the lockdown and the behaviour of the Danish population, we have managed to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. The reopening plan aims for a gradual resumption of activities in Denmark without putting pressure on the healthcare system.
As part of the agreement on phase two of the reopening, the political parties have agreed to discuss the phasing out of the temporary relief packages in tandem with a controlled reopening of the economy. The Government will call for a debate on the phasing out based on a discussion paper from an expert group.
The political parties agree to take the economic impact of the reopening, including the cost of the relief packages, into account in the assessment of any additional reopening in phase three.
The political parties note that assessments of health have been made by the Expert Group advising the SSI (Statens Serum Institut) and assessments of the broad economic impact have been made by the Economic Expert Group.
The political parties note that the reopening decision is based on five other 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
With the decision to implement phase two of the reopening, the mathematical models of the SSI Expert Group predict an increase in the number of people infected and hospitalised. In the run up to phase three of the reopening on 8 June 2020, the SSI Expert Group will make new model calculations based on the most up-to-date data, and new economic assessments will also be made.
The following initiatives will be taken if the overall increase in the number of people infected and hospitalised does not exceed the expected level and if the mathematical models of the SSI Expert Group confirm that it is safe from a public health perspective to embark on phase three of the reopening:
- The ban on gatherings will be changed to 30-50 people and an announcement will be made concerning wedding celebrations, confirmation celebrations etc.
- Cultural and other activities
Museums, theatres, art exhibitions, cinemas, public aquariums etc.
Outdoor amusement parks
Other zoos, botanical gardens etc.
Summer activities for children and young people
- Public sector areas that are particularly prone to a backlog of cases
- Full reopening of public research activities requiring physical presence
- Adult training for unemployed people (such as adult vocational training courses (AMU)) and Danish language schools
- Folk high schools etc.
- Indoor sports and association activities (such as evening classes)
In consultation with the sector partnership, an assessment will be made as to what activities can be performed in a manner that is safe from a public health perspective.
The following initiatives will be taken into consideration if the reopening develops in a more favourable way than expected and the mathematical models indicate that there is room for a broader reopening in phase three:
- Increased physical presence at public-sector workplaces
- Full reopening of the radio and TV channels DR and TV2
The following restrictions will be maintained until phase four, starting in early August:
- All remaining educational institutions
- Discotheques, music venues and night life
- Other indoor sports and recreational facilities etc. (such as fitness centres, water parks, amusement parks, public swimming pools)
- The ban on events, activities etc. with more than 500 participants is extended until at least 31 August 2020.
Guidelines on physical distance, hygiene etc. will apply to all enterprises, organisations etc. that decide to reopen. The framework of the guidelines will be prepared by the sector partnerships based on the guidelines from the health authorities. The guidelines are dynamic and will be adjusted on an ongoing basis as the situation evolves.
The political parties note that the reopening is expected to result in an increase in the number of people infected and hospitalised, both in phase two and future phases.
The political parties want to engage in discussions prior to each transition to a new phase. The elements of the plan can be accelerated, taking the specific guidelines from the sector partnerships into account. Likewise, depending on developments, the implementation of the individual phases and the elements of the individual phases etc. can be staggered.
The political parties agree that the spread of the novel coronavirus currently differs from region to region and, for that reason, it will be relevant to discuss in connection with each transition to the next phase whether a differentiated reopening could be implemented for the various regions, including as regards public sector workplaces.
The ban on gatherings will be assessed in connection with each transition to a new phase.
The political parties note that the Government will implement the testing strategy in the weeks ahead and will focus on efficient tracking and tracing of outbreaks of the novel coronavirus among close contacts and home isolation of people with COVID-19.
The political parties note that if the pandemic flares up, the Government can deviate from the overall plan and implement the necessary restrictions etc.