End of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Denmark? All COVID-19 Travel Restrictions lifted?

Well, first, I'd say nobody should equate the "end" of the pandemic with a change in regulations (the virus doesn't care what governments do). It's also worth noting that Denmark has a VERY high vaccination rate, so....other places may or may not take similar steps, and may take a while.

That said, yes, it's (I hope) good news and welcome, and it does reflect a trend also seen in other nearby places (it seems much of Scandinavia is going the same way). Has been reported widely and referenced here in other threads.

FWIW I was in Copenhagen in late September 2021 and things were similar: once we stepped out of the airport, everyone was putting away their masks, and we never saw a single masked person for the rest of our time there, no visible restrictions, people were just going about their lives. It was great but it also felt strange to go maskless when in shops, restaurants, on public transit, even in crowded spaces. It took a little getting used to (but it sure was nice).

Hopefully we will see more of this, as it becomes justifiable elsewhere (based on progress against the pandemic).

Thanks for sharing your experience David! Very interesting indeed, I saw Covid-cases in Denmark have started to drop just this week, let's hope their abandoning of Covid-restrictions is not premature, and is a signal that there is light at the end of the tunnel (that is hopefully not an oncoming train lol!)

David,
Totally agree, it is time to move on.

The state of shutdowns will influence our foreign travel plans, we are going to Ecuador and the Galapagos in April/May then Safari in E. Africa in July. We would love to be able to visit the UK and Italy in 2023.

Could this be the long awaited beginning of the end of the Pandemic?

Maybe, but it's not the first time Denmark has lifted all restrictions, they did the same in september last year but had to reintroduce them.

Will other EU countries soon follow suit?

Norway, Sweden and Finland are following and lifting at least most of the restrictions.

The head of European WHO said yesterday that Europe will reach a "cease fire" with the pandemic this spring due to the high vaccination rate and will enjoy a period of tranquility. Washington Post article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/03/who-europe-coronavirus-ceasefire/

It's unknown if the pandemic has greatly improved in Europe.

But it's obvious that many countries' citizens are sick and tired of dealing with Covid.

You don’t have to wear masks and there are no restrictions on entering bars, restaurants etc in England. Many are still wearing masks in shops etc.

It’s not the end of the pandemic, as much of the world remains unvaccinated and unfortunately, another variant will be along soon, which may not be as benign as Omicron.

CNN did a piece on the positive outlook of travel and tourism in Europe starting in the coming months, maybe even weeks. We may be finally turning a corner and entering "a long period of tranquility" as per Dr. Kluge, the WHO's regional director for Europe.

He said at a news briefing that Europe could be entering “a plausible endgame for the pandemic – not to say that it is now all over – but to highlight that in the European region, there is a singular opportunity to take control of the transmission.”

The potential “ceasefire” of the pandemic in Europe as Kluge described it, could be possible thanks to high levels of immunity, the lower severity of the Omicron variant and favorable weather as Europe moves out of winter, he said.

More countries have announced reopening plans. Denmark, whose population has a high 81% vaccination rate, has become the first EU country to lift all Covid-19 restrictions, while Morocco has announced plans to reopen to tourists on February 7.

source: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/pandemic-travel-news-denmark-new-zealand-puerto-rico/index.html

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