Denmark is set to eliminate almost all of its remaining domestic COVID-19 restrictions next week.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced Wednesday that the Nordic country will remove all restrictions except that face masks would be required in hospitals, healthcare facilities, and homes for the elderly.
“We say goodbye to the restrictions and welcome the life we knew before,” Frederiksen said. “As of Feb. 1, Denmark will be open.”
Two weeks ago, Denmark loosened its restrictions, allowing cinemas and music venues to reopen after a monthlong lockdown, but kept limited hours for restaurants and mandatory face masks in place.
Frederiksen said that despite the omicron variant’s surge, Denmark’s health system is not burdened.
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“It may seem strange that we want to remove restrictions given the high infection rates,” Frederiksen said. “But fewer people become seriously ill.”
The lightening of restrictions comes as Denmark reportedly has only 40 people in hospital intensive care units.
“We continue with a strong epidemic surveillance,” Health Minister Magnus Heunicke said. “Then we … can react quickly if necessary.”
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Denmark follows the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands in announcing similar decisions to remove COVID-19 restrictions in the last week. Among the reasons given for lightening restrictions were COVID-19 case numbers no longer peaking and a decrease in hospitalizations.
