Next phases in gradual lifting of coronavirus restrictions 

Next month will see a continuation of the plan, recently updated, to gradually lift many coronavirus restrictions. Each phase of the plan is contingent on infection rates remaining satisfactorily controlled and vaccinations progressing as expected. The use of corona passports plays a key role in eased restrictions.

On May 6th concert venues, theatres and cinemas are allowed to open.

The public assembly limit indoors, currently 10 persons, will further increase to 25 people, while the outdoor assembly limit will increase to 75.

The following phase of reopening on May 21st sees the limit go up again, to 50 persons indoors and 100 outdoors. Meanwhile all sports, leisure and association-based activities not permitted in previous rounds reopen, if infections are still controlled.

Indoor parts of amusement parks, zoos and other outdoor cultural facilities will be allowed to reopen. Such attractions have been allowed to open since March, but only for their outdoors areas.

Evening schools and other auxiliary education like daily attendance at folk high schools (daghøjskoler) can reopen, although face mask, social distancing and limits on opening hours will remain in place.

The government previously said it plans for the majority of restrictions to be lifted once all people over 50 have been vaccinated against the virus. An earlier version of the national vaccination calendar projected this point would be reached by the end of May, but the projection has since been moved back. In the latest version of the calendar, vaccination of the group covering this age begins on May 17th and is scheduled to end by July 4th.

READ ALSO:

• Denmark to ease travel restrictions: When and how can I enter or leave?
• Denmark to make decision on use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine
• Copenhagen to offer ‘leftover’ Covid-19 vaccines: Here’s how to sign up

New EU toy directives come into force in May

From May 21st, the EU will set new strict limits on the amount of aluminium and formaldehyde that can go into toys. The substances may then only be used in small quantities for processing and production. 

International ‘vaccine passport’ to launch

Starting in May, the “IATA (International Air Travel Association) Travel Pass” will be the first to test travel with a vaccination certificate. The smartphone app allows travellers to store and manage certifications for Covid-19 tests or vaccinations. It aims to facilitate air travel under pandemic conditions, and help travellers avoid quarantines whenever possible. 

The data should remain under the control of the passengers, the association assures. The app is available now for iOS, and a version for Android is also expected to be available soon. 

WhatsApp releases new conditions

This change is one that has been long announced and even postponed, but now it’s getting serious. The new WhatsApp GTCs will come into force on May 15th.

What does this mean for you? If you haven’t agreed by this date, you won’t be able to use the Messenger app for the time being.  If you’re still unsure, your account will be set to “inactive” on the cutoff date.

This means that you can receive messages and calls, but you are no longer allowed to compose new messages yourself. You can do this for up to 120 days – then your account will be deleted forever.

New rules on tyre markings

This sounds like it could be one for the purists but stick with us. An EU directive comes into effect on May 1st requiring tyre makers to provide more specific labelling on their products. Producers will also be obliged to enter specifications on an EU database.

Consumers will be able to use this database to compare products, with the aim of making the market more transparent and easier to find safe and environmentally friendly products. You can read more about this (in Danish) via the Danish Road Traffic Authority.