206

News

Reunited soon: Denmark allows entry to lovers from EU

Ayee Macaraig
June 11th, 2020


This article is more than 4 years old.

There is still no word on when partners from outside the EU will be allowed entry

Government permits entry of residents of the EU and the UK who have lovers in Denmark (photo: Pixabay/takazart)

The three-month separation of couples torn between Denmark and the rest of Europe will soon end as the government is allowing lovers, as well as grandparents and children, from other EU countries and the UK to enter its borders starting on Monday.

The Ministry of Justice made the announcement following petitions from people in Denmark who have been separated from their partners since the coronavirus lockdown started in March. There is however no word yet on when borders will be opened to those whose boyfriends and girlfriends are from outside the EU.

“It has been a tough time for lovers who have been separated because of border restrictions. We are now taking a step towards a more normal day-to-day life,” said the minister of justice, Nick Hekkerup.

Schleswig-Holstein residents
The government has also decided to reopen borders to residents of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany’s northernmost state.

Hekkerup said Southern Jutland and Schleswig-Holstein are closely linked, adding that there is a Danish minority on the German side and a German minority on the Danish side who must be given consideration.

From Monday, residents of Schleswig-Holstein can enter Denmark without restrictions. They only need to show a document that they live in Schleswig-Holstein.

Business trips
Residents of the EU and the UK can also enter Denmark for an additional number of reasons including business trips and job interviews. Those owning a holiday home in Denmark will also be allowed in along with those who have holiday apartments, boats and campsites.

The government continues to monitor the prevalence of coronavirus cases in other European countries and may impose special requirements on areas posing risks of infection.

The authorities are also looking into a regional opening for Denmark’s borders with Sweden and entry for the whole of Finland.

Previously, the government has only allowed entry to residents of Germany, Norway and Iceland (from next Monday), but only under certain conditions such as proof of a six-night booking.


Share

Most popular

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to receive The Daily Post

















Latest Podcast

A survey carried out by Megafon for TV2 has found that 71 percent of parents have handed over children to daycare in spite of them being sick.

Moreover, 21 percent of those surveyed admitted to medicating their kids with paracetamol, such as Panodil, before sending them to school.

The FOLA parents’ organisation is shocked by the findings.

“I think it is absolutely crazy. It simply cannot be that a child goes to school sick and plays with lots of other children. Then we are faced with the fact that they will infect the whole institution,” said FOLA chair Signe Nielsen.

Pill pushers
At the Børnehuset daycare institution in Silkeborg a meeting was called where parents were implored not to bring their sick children to school.

At Børnehuset there are fears that parents prefer to pack their kids off with a pill without informing teachers.

“We occasionally have children who that they have had a pill for breakfast,” said headteacher Susanne Bødker. “You might think that it is a Panodil more than a vitamin pill, if it is a child who has just been sick, for example.”

Parents sick and tired
Parents, when confronted, often cite pressure at work as a reason for not being able to stay at home with their children.

Many declare that they simply cannot take another day off, as they are afraid of being fired.

Allan Randrup Thomsen, a professor of virology at KU, has heavily criticised the parents’ actions, describing the current situation as a “vicious circle”.

“It promotes the spread of viruses, and it adds momentum to a cycle where parents are pressured by high levels of sick-leave. If they then choose to send the children to daycare while they are still recovering, they keep the epidemic going in daycares, and this in turn puts a greater burden on the parents.”