Denmark has previously requested people arriving from so-called ‘red' risk zones for Covid-19 to isolate but has not enforced quarantine. That practice will now change, the health ministry said in a statement last week.

In a new press release on Saturday, the Ministry of Transport confirmed the new requirements would take place from Sunday February 7th in order to limit the spread of the new and more contagious variants of coronavirus. 

The rules apply to both Danish citizens and foreigners.

The new variants are expected to account for about 80 percent of infection cases in Denmark at the beginning of March, the press adds.

“It is therefore crucial that we do what we can to keep infection – and especially new mutations – out of Denmark”, says Minister of Health Magnus Heunicke in the press release.

The new entry requirements apply at all borders, so at airports, sea and land borders.

Transport Minister Benny Engelbrecht says in the press release that it is good that tests are now required “because we must also state that unfortunately there have been examples of people who have chosen to go on holiday trips without thinking that the rest of society is struggling to keep the infection down so we can come back to a more normal everyday life.”

If the requirements are not complied with, there can be a fine of 3500 kroner. 

Certain exemptions will apply, including for people living in border regions and people who regularly cross the Danish border as part of their work. Other reasons including transport and essential services may also provide exemption from quarantine rules.

The isolation period can be shortened by showing a negative coronavirus test on the fourth day at the earliest after entering Denmark.

The new requirements and rules are provisionally valid until 28th February. There is more information here.

Denmark also on Sunday lifted a ban on flights coming from the United Arab Emirates. The ban was introduced on January 23rd.

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