COPENHAGEN, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday announced a phased plan for reopening the country starting April 6, after lengthy negotiations between the government and the majority of parliamentary parties late Monday night.
"We will proceed cautiously. We can now open more in Denmark, which is the opposite of what is experienced in several other countries, where the third wave of coronavirus is already a reality," said Frederiksen at a press conference, immediately after the conclusion of the framework agreement for an incremental reopening.
According to updated data by Statens Serum Institut on Tuesday, Denmark registered 754 new COVID-19 infections and one death in the past 24 hours, bringing the country's total cases and death toll to 227,031 and 2,403, respectively.
The "flexible and responsible" reopening promised by the new agreement will begin on April 6, when 5th-8th graders, home-schooled since the end of 2020, will be permitted to attend school every second week. The day will also see the reopening of hairdressers and beauty salons.
The first stage of the reopening also specifies that once the elderly, vulnerable citizens, and those over 50 years old have been vaccinated against COVID-19, schools and education facilities can fully reopen.
The second stage takes place on April 13, as shopping malls, department stores and arcades with an area of 15,000 square meters or less can reopen.
The third stage starts on April 21 and will see large shopping malls and department stores occupying an area of over 15,000 square meters be permitted to open for general trade. Organized indoor sports activities for children and young people under 18 years of age will also reopen.
In addition, the so-called "corona passport" showing whether one has been vaccinated or has a negative coronavirus test, will make its debut, granting access to outdoor dining at the now reopened restaurants and cafes, and permitting entry to museums, art galleries and libraries.
On May 6, the fourth stage will see indoor dining in restaurants and cafes allowed. Conferences venues, theaters, cinemas and indoor sports for adults over 18 will reopen, but all will only be accessible with a valid corona passport.
Finally, on May 21, the remaining sports, leisure and association activities will reopen to citizens who have a "corona passport."
The agreement specifies that relevant sanitary measures should continue to apply throughout the incremental re-opening.
While the starting point of the reopening is nationwide, the agreement acknowledges it may not be possible in areas where there is a high incidence of transmissions or a sudden outbreak of the virus. Therefore, the Epidemic Commission and the authorities will be allowed to consider flexible models for reopening, including regional and local models.
Meanwhile, the agreement permits the authorities to implement measures and reintroduce restrictions in the event of a sudden outbreak of coronavirus. Enditem