Face masks no longer mandatory on public transport in Denmark

Life in the Nordic country returns to normal as nearly 65% of its population is fully vaccinated

In June, the Danish government announced its plans to lift all COVID restrictions by September 2021. As previously reported, the Nordic country set about alleviating all measures and phasing out the use of masks from 14 June. At the time, people were required to wear face masks only when using public transport.

While the government initially stated that the use of masks would be fully abolished on 1 September, it has now pushed this date forward. More specifically, as of Saturday 14 August, individuals are no longer obligated to wear masks on Danish public transport (buses, trains, metro, and ferries). Nevertheless, they will still be mandatory onboard both domestic and international flights.

Finally returning to normal

Earlier last week, the National Board of Health announced that it has lifted the recommendation to keep a distance of 1 metre in public spaces. This announcement prompted the government to take further action and push forward the abolition of face masks on public transport. Minister of Transport Benny Engelbrecht commented on the elimination of face masks, noting:

“In August 2020, we introduced the first Danish requirements for masks in public transport, and now, after more than a year, this is also where it ends. […] I have no doubt that it has helped keep the number of infections down and ultimately save lives. Now we are in a completely different place, where a large part of the population has been vaccinated, and we are returning to a more normal everyday life.”

According to the Danish newspaper Berlingske, Engelbrecht does not envision a return of these measures in the future. While the Minister of Transport notes that one must never rule it out, he is hopeful that the face masks will not be reintroduced.

This return to normal is made possible thanks to the prevalence of vaccinations in Denmark as nearly 65% of the Danish population has now been fully vaccinated.

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