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Denmark recently became the first nation in the EU to drop all COVID-19 restrictions. The decision comes amid rising cases, which have reached an all-time high over the past several weeks.
By Hannah Raykher ’23
Staff Writer
This past week, Denmark made the decision to drop all current COVID-19 restrictions. This decision has made Denmark the first nation in the EU to end their restrictions.
According to CNN, there will no longer be a need to show a “COVID pass” — which was previously used to indicate vaccination status or a recent negative COVID-19 test — to attend a concert or restaurant, and there will be an upcoming end to the indoor mask mandate. The decision was informed by Denmark’s high vaccination rates, with 82 percent of Danes having received two doses and half of those people also having received a booster shot, according to the Associated Press.
Olivia Wilson ’23 is currently studying abroad in Denmark and noticed a dramatic difference between Americans and Danes regarding COVID-19 protocol. These differences are especially apparent surrounding testing. “There are … free rapid tests centers for anyone, so it’s suggested to get tested twice a week and before you go to large social events, but you can also get tested every day. They don’t restrict the number of times a week you can get tested … You can also get free PCR tests at the airport without an appointment,” Wilson explained.
Wilson also felt that Danes have more trust in their government, and because of this, feel more confident that COVID-19 protocols are for the good of the people rather than a political agenda. Due to this trust, the elimination of COVID-19 restrictions is not the same hot-button issue that it may be here.
“COVID[-19] isn’t really a hot topic anymore,” Wilson said. “When COVID[-19] restrictions were lifted, it wasn't really a big deal. Masks are a personal choice, I see some people wearing them in the grocery stores, and some aren’t. Wearing a mask isn’t a political indication like it is in the U.S.. The change has been well received, [and] people are antsy to go out like old times now that clubs are finally opening up.”
International Relations and Politics Professor Christopher Mitchell concurred. “Greater social cohesion may also be a factor, as in general the Nordic states, with their higher social cohesion, have been more willing to rely on trust that their citizens will take voluntary steps to be responsible in containing the spread than states with lower social trust, such as the United States or France, where government restrictions play a more important role,” Mitchell said. “One thing that is clearly not a factor is actual case numbers, as Denmark has had one of the higher case levels in Europe.”
According to The New York Times, Denmark has reported that approximately one percent of the nation’s population tested positive in a single day within the past week, placing the country near the top of COVID-19 cases per capita throughout the world.
Mitchell also discussed Denmark’s smaller population size as a reason why the nation has been able to drop these restrictions.
“Smaller economies need to be more open to thrive than large ones, as their smaller populations mean that they have fewer domestic consumers to buy their goods, and shallower reserves to support a cessation of economic activity.”
In past weeks, COVID-19 cases in Denmark have been at an all-time high. According to Politico, the Danish medical authorities are confident that with widespread vaccination and testing, the milder Omicron variant and a decrease in intensive care patients, the nation is safe to open up. Officials warn that the end of the restrictions may not be permanent due to the ever-changing nature of the virus.