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3:29
Denmark removes most restrictions against Covid-19
Despite presenting record numbers of infections, Denmark lifted most of the restrictions against the coronavirus.
Magnus Heinicke, Minister of Health of Denmark, in a letter to Parliament assured that the virus is no longer critical for society. With this decision, Denmark joins other European nations that are lifting their restrictions, such as Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, in a press conference, declared that the news of removing the restrictions is incredible and assures that returning a little more to normality will return a smile to society.
Although he assures that the pandemic continues to exist, he considers that they have taken a big step to get out of the shadow of Covid-19, dismissing the restrictions and giving way to the life they had before the pandemic.
The restrictive measures will be absolved from the first of February. The media claim that Frederiksen, in an agreement with a group of doctors, followed the recommendations of the Danish Epidemic Commission.
People from foreign countries must be tested for the virus before entering the country.
With these measures, bars and nightclubs will be back in operation, just as restaurants will no longer have to ask diners for proof of vaccination and the use of masks indoors will no longer be mandatory.
Reasons for the new measures
Although there has been an increase in infections, the Danish government decided to relax the measures against COVID-19 due to the low influx in hospitals and the high rate of vaccinations in the population.
In the last 24 hours, 46,747 new infections have been registered, a figure that is nine times higher than a year ago at the most critical point of the second wave, but only 938 people are admitted to hospitals.
Between 30% and 40% were admitted to hospitals for other reasons, and then they tested positive for Covid-19.
The total number of patients in intensive care is 40, half the number a month ago. The minister assures that this is a sign that ómicron has a much lower mortality rate.
Frederiksen commented that it might seem like a paradox to eliminate the restrictions with the current contagion figures, but there are other figures that have been evaluated, such as the number of seriously ill patients, which is the most important and that has expired.
He also highlighted that another figure that plays a very decisive role is that of the vaccination rate, which indicates that more than 80% of Danes have received the full doses and almost 60% the booster dose.
In consideration of these figures, the authorities consider it inappropriate to maintain the restrictions because they believe that the number of infections will drop in a few weeks.
Last month there was an increase in deaths. However, Denmark has presented the lowest number of deaths in Europe in the entire pandemic with 62.59 deaths per 100,000 people. Three times less than countries like France, Spain or Portugal.
Most of the restrictions will be lifted after parliament approves the prime minister's proposal, but some recommendations for the vulnerable population will remain.
For example, the use of masks will be mandatory in nursing homes and foreign travelers who wish to enter Denmark must take a COVID-19 test.
Then a second phase would begin, according to the Danish government, in which the virus would be monitored to prepare for the winter, where the population will probably have to apply another booster dose, Frederiksen announced.
