Denmark will remove all remaining COVID-19 restrictions by September 10, including the controversial and invasive vaccine passport system.
The news came after the country’s health ministry announced that the coronavirus was “no longer a critical threat to society.”
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In a statement on Friday, the minister for health Magnus Heunicke said: “The epidemic is under control, we have record vaccination levels. That is why we can drop the special rules we had introduced in the fight against COVID-19.”
In Europe, Denmark ranks third in vaccination levels, with 71% of its population double vaccinated. It comes behind Portugal and Malta, which have 73% and 80% of their populations fully vaccinated respectively.
The country was among the first to impose lockdowns as the pandemic was beginning in March 2020. It was also one of the first nations to launch a vaccine passport in April 2021.
The Danes have to show the vaccine passport, called the “coronapas,” when entering public and entertainment venues such as bars, restaurants, cinemas, museums, gyms, and sports stadiums.
The requirement was lifted for some venues such as museums on August 1.
On September 1, the vaccine pass will be ditched for most venues but will still be used for large events such as at stadiums until September 10 when the whole system is scrapped.
