In a statement, the ministry confirmed the extension of travel restrictions in light of Wednesday’s announcement that some domestic restrictions will be lifted in March.

“Under the mutual agreement for the next steps towards a gradual and responsible reopening of Denmark, the increased travel restrictions (originally) announced on January 8th will be extended,” the ministry wrote.

The current travel extensions, which had been due to expire at the end of February, will therefore remain in place until April 5th.

“Ongoing restriction of travel activity is an important element in the efforts to control infection spread while mutations of coronavirus are occurring in several countries,” the ministry wrote in the statement.

The extended restrictions mean that negative Covid-19 tests no more than 24 hours old are required to board flights to the country or cross land borders. An exception applies for individuals who have been infected with Covid-19 between the last 2-8 weeks (and can document this).

Non-residents of Denmark are required to fulfil a ‘valid reason’ criterion for entering the country, while non-Danes who live in South Africa are essentially banned from entering Denmark altogether.

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More detail on these rules including on valid reasons for entry can be found here.

A rule essentially banning residents of the United Kingdom from entering Denmark, similar to the restriction on travel from South Africa, has been lifted.

“The United Kingdom is given equal status with all other countries in the world with the exception of South Africa, which is still subject to tight rules and restrictions on travel in and out (of Denmark),” the ministry wrote.

Special rules on travel from regions bordering Denmark apply. These rules were themselves tightened last week.

The extension of the restrictions also means the continuation of foreign ministry guidelines placing the entire world at the ‘red’ alert level, meaning the ministry is advising against all foreign travel (not just non-essential travel). As such, business travel is not exempted from the advisory, although there are some exemptions, such as for transport of goods and some services.

“The infection situation around Europe and in the rest of the world is still very serious. Therefore, the time is not right to ease up on the tight restrictions on travel in and out of Denmark,” foreign minister Jeppe Kofod said in the statement.

“An Easter holiday abroad is unfortunately not an option. We must hold out for a while yet,” he added.

Current Danish entry restrictions require people arriving in the country from abroad to be tested for Covid-19 within 24 hours of arrival and to quarantine for 10 days. The isolation period can be shortened by showing a negative coronavirus test on the fourth day at the earliest after entering Denmark.