Coronavirus DK: Clash over plan for border opening

At a press conference yesterday, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced the government’s policy on opening the border (DK). Like the earlier steps in the reopening of society and the economy, it takes a gradual, controlled approach and it also drew criticism. 

Beginning on June 15, tourists from Germany, Norway and Iceland may enter Denmark, but they must be able to document that they have booked a stay for at least six nights outside of Copenhagen. They may make day trips to Copenhagen, which has had by far the most infections in Denmark, but must sleep elsewhere. Germany has had an infection rate similar to Denmark's, and the rate in the two other countries has been lower.

Tourists from other countries, including Sweden, are excluded. Officials in Sweden, which has not had a strict lockdown and has a much larger number of infections, have complained about lack of access to Denmark. Many Swedes work in Denmark, and many Danes have summer houses in southern Sweden. After the summer, the government expects to open the border to Schengen countries and the UK, said Frederiksen. She added that it may try to find a regional solution to the issue of Sweden.

No Mediterranean beaches for Danes

Tourists will be asked to be tested for the coronavirus when they cross the border, but it will not be compulsory. If they have visible symptoms, they will be refused entry. There will be test centers at popular vacation spots, and if tourists test positive, they may stay in the country subject to the Health Authority’s general guidelines on isolation. 

For people traveling abroad from Denmark, the same restrictions apply. On June 15, they may travel to the same three countries, where they are urged to avoid large cities. The government advises against travel to other countries until August 31. That includes countries in southern Europe where many Danes spend their summer vacations. Frederiksen expressed regrets (DK) that people cannot travel to warm beaches and urged them to vacation in Denmark this year and help support hotels, restaurants and other local tourist sites that are suffering economically because of a lack of customers. If people travel to other countries, they may be subject to restrictions there or become stranded. In any case, they are urged to quarantine themselves for 14 days when they return.

SSI, the agency for preparedness against infectious diseases, believes that the border opening will lead to an increase in the number of infections (DK). It estimates that 400-1,500 asymptomatic persons with the coronavirus will enter the country. Independent healthcare researchers were divided (DK) about the plan. Some think it is sensible, and others believe that tourists from additional countries should be allowed entrance.

Strange, incomprehensible, shocking

Not surprisingly, the plan drew criticism from the opposition (DK), which has been agitating for an earlier border opening. Jacob Ellemann-Jensen of the Liberal Party calls the restrictions in the plan strange and arbitrary: “Why is it six days? And what is so dangerous about sleeping in Copenhagen? It is hard to see the rationale in the necessity of hurting hotels in Copenhagen and Frederiksberg. I hope there is a justification on the basis of healthcare considerations.” 

Criticism also came from Frederiksen’s fellow Social Democrats. “Sad and incomprehensible,” said Jonas Bjørn Jensen, spokesperson for the party in Copenhagen. “It is Copenhagen that generates the most money for tourism, so if you want to benefit the industry, you should start there.” 

Representatives of the tourism industry of course agreed. “I am shocked,” said Peter Haaber, head of the Zleep Hotels chain. “It is almost a compulsory lockdown.” The head of VisitDenmark, Jan Olsen, however, acknowledged the loss of income to hotels in Copenhagen but noted that only about 10 percent of tourists from the three countries in question stay in the city. Most stay along the coasts, and they have already begun to book rooms.