Denmark reinstates COVID passports and face masks from today

Citizens will have to present a valid COVID passport to access certain businesses and services

As of today (Monday 29 November), Denmark has officially reintroduced COVID passports and face mask requirements. With the country recording over 4,000 new cases and the world facing the appearance of the new Omicron variant, the government hopes to reduce the spread of the virus and to protect society.

Where will a COVID passport be necessary?

According to a press release by the government, citizens will need to present a valid COVID passport to access nightclubs, indoor restaurants, hairdressers, beauty salons, spas, and other similar businesses. In addition to this, people must have a COVID passport when attending indoor gatherings with more than 100 people or outdoor gatherings with over 1,000.

To have a valid COVID passport, citizens need to be fully vaccinated or to have received their first shot of the vaccine within the last two weeks. Alternatively, they need to have a negative PCR test (valid for 72 hours) or rapid test (valid for 48 hours).

It is important to highlight that these rules will only apply to adults and children over the age of 15.

Face masks

As previously mentioned, the country is also reintroducing the use of face masks in several areas such as grocery stores, indoor markets, shopping malls, department stores, arcades, and takeaway places. However, employees will reportedly be exempt from this requirement if the company they work for requires them to have a valid COVID passport.

Commenting on the need to reintroduce the above measures, the Minister of Business and Industry Simon Kollerup shared:

“Right now, it is our most important task to keep the wheels of society going while we take care of each other. And, even though we are now going to pull out the corona passport a little more often or put on masks, society is still open.

So, we can keep going to restaurants, cinemas, or concerts and enjoy the many opportunities that businesses across the country have to offer But, of course, there is still help for those who are hardest hit.”