On Friday, it is six months since Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (S) launched a comprehensive shutdown of the country due to coronavirus.
Here are ten downsides from the March 11 shutdown to today:
* March 11: The shutdown
After increasing infection, Mette Frederiksen announces that Denmark will partially close down.
Also read: WHO calls for solidarity after six months of pandemic
This means, among other things, that the treatment guarantee expires, public employees in non-critical functions are sent home, gatherings of more than 100 people are banned, day care institutions, schools, colleges, universities and cultural institutions close.
At the same time, citizens are encouraged not to stock up on groceries, but the same evening several shops have been emptied of, among other things, toilet paper.
* 13.-17. March: Farewell to travel and first corona death
All unnecessary travel to the whole world is discouraged on March 13th. The next day, the Danish borders close, and the first Danish death related to coronavirus is confirmed.
On March 17, Queen Margrethe reprimands the corona situation in a televised speech. Prior to the speech, the Prime Minister announced that a ban on gatherings of more than ten people would become a reality and that professions such as restaurants and hairdressers should close. On the same day, an urgent law on business assistance was also passed.
* April 6: Festivals are canceled despite careful reopening
Mette Frederiksen states that Denmark will reopen cautiously after Easter. This means that crรจches, kindergartens and 0.-5. class opens.
However, bans on large gatherings will be extended until August. As a consequence, large festivals such as Roskilde Festival and Smukfest near Skanderborg are canceled.
* 20.-25. April: Reopening of liberal professions and first residence ban
On April 20, small businesses will be allowed to reopen. This includes hairdressers, dentists and tattoo artists.
On April 25, the first residence ban will be introduced to prevent people from crowding together. The next day, the first fines are imposed for violating the residence ban.
* 18.-20. May: Restaurants reopen, new test strategy
On 18 May, restaurants, cafรฉs and pubs will once again be open to guests as part of Phase 2 of the reopening. Continuing schools must also reopen.
On the same day, the Ministry of Health announces that all adults in Denmark will in future have the opportunity to be tested. The tests can be done in the white tents that are set up all over the country.
On 20 May, it will be decided that Phase 2 can be extended so that museums, cinemas and zoos are allowed to reopen immediately. A large proportion of high school students are allowed to return to school, and colleges are allowed to reopen.
* 8.-15. June: Fitness and holiday pay
On June 8, the assembly ban will be lifted from 10 to 50 people. Fitness centers, swimming pools and playgrounds must reopen.
On 15 June, Minister of Finance Nicolai Wammen (S) says that Danes can be paid three weeks of frozen holiday pay.
* 18.-19. June: Traveling at home and abroad
It is announced that from 27 June it will be possible to travel to and from certain countries in the EU and Schengen area as well as the United Kingdom.
The next day, a summer package is presented that, among other things, makes ferries free for cyclists and pedestrians at home.
* August 22: Mouthpiece
All travelers over the age of 12 must now wear a mask or visor in public transport, ferries and taxis. The order comes shortly after the requirement was introduced in municipalities with major outbreaks.
* 7.-11. September: New increase in infection
Following increasing infection, the assembly ban will be lowered to 50 people in 18 municipalities. Opening hours for bars and restaurants are limited to 24 hours.
The next day, it is announced that the contact number in Denmark has increased from 0.9 to 1.5.
The imprint from the closure six months ago is still seen today. The nightlife is still closed and the general assembly ban over 100 people still applies.
This means, among other things, that the treatment guarantee expires, public employees in non-critical functions are sent home, gatherings of more than 100 people are banned, day care institutions, schools, colleges, universities and cultural institutions close.
At the same time, citizens are encouraged not to stock up on groceries, but the same evening several shops have been emptied of, among other things, toilet paper.
* 13.-17. March: Farewell to travel and first corona death
All unnecessary travel to the whole world is discouraged on March 13th. The next day, the Danish borders close, and the first Danish death related to coronavirus is confirmed.
On March 17, Queen Margrethe reprimands the corona situation in a televised speech. Prior to the speech, the Prime Minister announced that a ban on gatherings of more than ten people would become a reality and that professions such as restaurants and hairdressers should close. On the same day, an emergency law on business assistance was also passed.
* April 6: Festivals are canceled despite careful reopening
Mette Frederiksen states that Denmark will reopen cautiously after Easter. This means that crรจches, kindergartens and 0.-5. class opens.
However, bans on large gatherings will be extended until August. As a consequence, large festivals such as Roskilde Festival and Smukfest near Skanderborg are canceled.
* 20.-25. April: Reopening of liberal professions and first residence ban
On April 20, small businesses will be allowed to reopen. This includes hairdressers, dentists and tattoo artists.
On April 25, the first residence ban will be introduced to prevent people from crowding together. The next day, the first fines are imposed for violating the residence ban.
* 18.-20. May: Restaurants reopen, new test strategy
On 18 May, restaurants, cafรฉs and pubs will once again be open to guests as part of Phase 2 of the reopening. Continuing schools must also reopen.
On the same day, the Ministry of Health announces that all adults in Denmark will in future have the opportunity to be tested. The tests can be done in the white tents that are set up all over the country.
On 20 May, it will be decided that Phase 2 can be extended so that museums, cinemas and zoos are allowed to reopen immediately. A large proportion of high school students are allowed to return to school, and colleges are allowed to reopen.
* 8.-15. June: Fitness and holiday pay
On June 8, the assembly ban will be lifted from 10 to 50 people. Fitness centers, swimming pools and playgrounds must reopen.
On 15 June, Minister of Finance Nicolai Wammen (S) says that Danes can be paid three weeks of frozen holiday pay.
* 18.-19. June: Traveling at home and abroad
It is announced that from 27 June it will be possible to travel to and from certain countries in the EU and Schengen area as well as the United Kingdom.
The next day, a summer package is presented that, among other things, makes ferries free for cyclists and pedestrians at home.
* August 22: Mouthpiece
All travelers over the age of 12 must now wear a mask or visor in public transport, ferries and taxis. The order comes shortly after the requirement was introduced in municipalities with major outbreaks.
* 7.-11. September: New increase in infection
Following increasing infection, the assembly ban will be lowered to 50 people in 18 municipalities. Opening hours for bars and restaurants are limited to 24 hours.
The next day, it is announced that the contact number in Denmark has increased from 0.9 to 1.5.
The imprint from the closure six months ago is still seen today. The nightlife is still closed and the general assembly ban over 100 people still applies.
Source: The Nordic Page