Denmark launched a COVID-19 “passport” scheme on Tuesday that will assist to allow non-essential businesses to reopen to customers.
The “coronapas” is available via a secure application or in paper format to individuals who have been fully vaccinated, have tested positive for COVID-19 two to 12 weeks previously, or negative over the previous 72 hours.
It currently allows individuals to enter certain businesses — including hairdressers, beauty salons, and driving schools — with the aim to gradually reopen the economy by the end of May.
It will be expanded to include terraces, which are due to reopen on 21 April, and restaurants, museums, theatres, and cinemas from 6 May. The nation is scheduled to be fully reopened on May 21 when the government estimates it will have vaccinated individuals over the age of 50.
Businesses that allow customers in without a valid “coronapas” will be fined €400 and up to €6,000 for repeat offenses while clients will be fined €330, the Ministry of Justice has warned.
Denmark is one of the first nations in Europe to implement such a system and the government mentioned it should remain in place till the entire adult population has had access to the vaccine which should be before the end of the summer.
It cannot however be used for travel although the government hopes it will eventually be used that way. The European Commission is working on the launch of a digital “green certificate” to travel freely in the EU again.
Some 7 per cent of Denmark’s 5.8 million inhabitants have been fully vaccinated and a total of 13.3 percent have received at least one dose.
Vaccinations within the nation have slowed down in current weeks after it suspended the usage of the jab developed by AstraZeneca over issues about uncommon however critical blood clot occasions in vaccinated individuals. The usage of the vaccine stays suspended pending additional assessments of its uncomfortable side effects.
