The authorities find that there is increasing risk that the B.1.351 coronavirus variant will spread in the border regions. In consequence, the Government has now introduced stricter rules on entry, including testing and self-isolation requirements, for persons arriving in Denmark from the border regions. The Government has continuously tightened the restrictions on entry due to the spread of new coronavirus variants. In light of the current situation, the Task Force, including the health authorities, considers it urgent to tighten restrictions on entry for people arriving from the border regions and has introduced post-entry testing and self-isolation requirements. The reason is that, according to the authorities, there is a risk that the B.1.351 coronavirus variant, which was first identified in South Africa, will spread when persons from the border regions enter Denmark. Initially, the Government has introduced stricter requirements for persons entering Denmark from the border regions, including Schleswig-Holstein, southern Sweden (the provinces of Blekinge and Scania) and western Sweden (the provinces of Halland and West Gothia). This entails that persons who enter Denmark with a worthy purpose must be able to present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before entry. Under the rules applicable so far, the test must have been taken no more than seven days before entry. The Government has also introduced stricter post-entry testing and self-isolation requirements for persons (also Danes) who arrive to work, provide services, visit a close relative or live in a border region. Under the rules applicable so far, it has been possible in some circumstances to derogate from the post-entry testing and self-isolation requirements if the relevant person presented a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than seven days before entry. This rule has been tightened to the effect that the test must have been taken no more than 72 hours before entry. The changes will take effect on 17 February 2021. The rules applicable so far will remain in force until 17 February 2021. Nick Hækkerup, Minister of Justice: ‘We are in a critical situation and it is absolutely necessary to curb the importation and spread of new, more contagious coronavirus variants from abroad. The new variants pose a threat to the gradual reopening of society. Therefore, based on the recommendations of the authorities and to improve the possibility of tracking infections and curbing the spread of the disease, we will tighten the testing and self-isolation requirements for persons arriving in Denmark after 17 February 2021 if they have stayed in a border region. I appreciate that this may cause challenges for and annoyance among people who live in a border region and possibly work across the border. However, we cannot put the Danish fight against COVID-19 at risk, and we consequently have to tighten the rules once again.’ Magnus Heunicke, Minister for Health: ‘The Government appreciates that it is crucial for people living and working in the border regions that they can cross the border. However, it is also crucial to protect Denmark against coronavirus variants that may cause greater uncertainties during the pandemic. In consequence, it is necessary to impose stricter testing requirements on people arriving from the border regions.’ Read the new executive order here (in Danish)
The authorities find that there is increasing risk that the B.1.351 coronavirus variant will spread in the border regions. In consequence, the Government has now introduced stricter rules on entry, including testing and self-isolation requirements, for persons arriving in Denmark from the border regions.
The Government has continuously tightened the restrictions on entry due to the spread of new coronavirus variants. In light of the current situation, the Task Force, including the health authorities, considers it urgent to tighten restrictions on entry for people arriving from the border regions and has introduced post-entry testing and self-isolation requirements. The reason is that, according to the authorities, there is a risk that the B.1.351 coronavirus variant, which was first identified in South Africa, will spread when persons from the border regions enter Denmark.
Initially, the Government has introduced stricter requirements for persons entering Denmark from the border regions, including Schleswig-Holstein, southern Sweden (the provinces of Blekinge and Scania) and western Sweden (the provinces of Halland and West Gothia). This entails that persons who enter Denmark with a worthy purpose must be able to present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before entry. Under the rules applicable so far, the test must have been taken no more than seven days before entry.
The Government has also introduced stricter post-entry testing and self-isolation requirements for persons (also Danes) who arrive to work, provide services, visit a close relative or live in a border region. Under the rules applicable so far, it has been possible in some circumstances to derogate from the post-entry testing and self-isolation requirements if the relevant person presented a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than seven days before entry. This rule has been tightened to the effect that the test must have been taken no more than 72 hours before entry.
The changes will take effect on 17 February 2021. The rules applicable so far will remain in force until 17 February 2021.
Nick Hækkerup, Minister of Justice:
‘We are in a critical situation and it is absolutely necessary to curb the importation and spread of new, more contagious coronavirus variants from abroad. The new variants pose a threat to the gradual reopening of society. Therefore, based on the recommendations of the authorities and to improve the possibility of tracking infections and curbing the spread of the disease, we will tighten the testing and self-isolation requirements for persons arriving in Denmark after 17 February 2021 if they have stayed in a border region.
I appreciate that this may cause challenges for and annoyance among people who live in a border region and possibly work across the border. However, we cannot put the Danish fight against COVID-19 at risk, and we consequently have to tighten the rules once again.’
Magnus Heunicke, Minister for Health:
‘The Government appreciates that it is crucial for people living and working in the border regions that they can cross the border. However, it is also crucial to protect Denmark against coronavirus variants that may cause greater uncertainties during the pandemic. In consequence, it is necessary to impose stricter testing requirements on people arriving from the border regions.’
