10

National Round-Up: Denmark eases travel restrictions for ‘safe’ non-EU countries

Denmark’s list of non-EU countries where travel restrictions will be eased is much shorter than that of the EU. Meanwhile, there are more forest areas available for camping

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published a list of countries outside the EU for which travel restrictions will be eased.

These countries are marked as safe based on coronavirus infection rates. However, the Danish list is shorter than the original one by the EU. Among other things, it does not include Australia.

The current countries in the EU list are Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay.

The number of coronavirus infections in these countries must be lower or equal to the one in the EU, having only 16 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Entry ban
Erik Brøgger Rasmussen, director of Civil Service in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, does not link the exclusion of Australia to inaction over the pandemic in the country.

“It is purely about the fact that there is an entry ban in most of the world – including Europeans – so it does not make sense to relax the travel guide,” Rasmussen said.

At the same time, China is present in the list, but it is conditional as the country is still closed for EU citizens. According to Rasmussen, it is unclear how the travel advisory will look for China.


Release of Danish Jehovah’s Witness in Russia postponed
The lawyer of a Danish Jehovah’s Witness imprisoned in Russia said his release will likely take weeks. In May 2017, Dennis Christensen was imprisoned during a worship service for Jehovah’s Witnesses south of Moscow. As the religious group is  considered an “extremist organization” in Russia, Christensen was supposed to serve 6 years in prison. Recently, the court granted him early release in exchange for a fine. But his lawyer said he still remains in an isolation cell.

Third mink farm in North Jutland affected by corona
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration has found coronavirus in a third mink farm in Hjørring Municipality. Test results show that more than 50 percent of the herd is infected with COVID-19 and about 5,000 mink are to be killed. The increasing number of infected firms becomes worrisome for the government. Altogether, there are 120 mink farms that are undergoing national screening.

Municipalities receive 8.9 billion kroner for extra corona expenditure
Municipalities have received funding to cover extra expenses for protective equipment during the coronavirus outbreak. Of the total disbursement of 8.9 billion kroner, 1.4 billion covers the costs for reopening municipal institutions. The social affairs and interior minister, Astrid Krag, said that the money should ensure that welfare is kept at the same level as before, although there have been huge expenses for the coronavirus. It concerns not only kindergartens, schools and creches but also unemployment benefits.

Summer means more camping
People in Denmark will have more opportunities for camping now. Herning municipality has decided to expand the amount of forest areas that can be used for camping. The Danish Nature Agency has announced that 77 of the state’s forests will be open for campers. “We expect that it will help to make more people vacation in tents,” said Anne-Vibeke Isaksen, president of the Danish Camping Union. There are several limits for camping: one can only stay in one place for a single day before travelling and in Herning it’s possible to camp until August 2 – the end of the summer school holidays.




  • What do Danes do for “Vinterferie”?

    What do Danes do for “Vinterferie”?

    As tradition has it, many Danes take a week off for Vinterferie next week. Or the week after. It’s a bit confusing, especially since Christmas and New Year’s Holiday are not far away. What’s going on?

  • The educational options for internationals in Denmark

    The educational options for internationals in Denmark

    Denmark offers free public education, but private schools and universities for non-EU students require tuition. Language is a barrier, with international schools available for children and limited English-taught university programs. In 2024, Denmark expanded university seats for internationals and introduced an HF-international program in Aarhus.

  • Aarhus Gymnasium is launching Denmark’s first HF program for internationals

    Aarhus Gymnasium is launching Denmark’s first HF program for internationals

    Aarhus Gymnasium is launching Denmark’s first HF-international program in August, offering young adult internationals an alternative to IB programs with a focus on career-oriented education and Danish language learning. Unlike IB, it reduces academic pressure while providing access to vocational schools and professional bachelor’s degrees

  • Top Danish companies report strong financial performance

    Top Danish companies report strong financial performance

    Some of Denmark’s leading companies reported solid financial results for 2024, with Lundbeck, Demant, and Vestas seeing growth, while Pandora tackled rising production costs with price increases and cost-saving measures.

  • Greenland restricts foreign property purchases and election donations

    Greenland restricts foreign property purchases and election donations

    These days, the Greenlandic institutions are approving two new norms to restrict, reduce, or ban the possibility for foreign citizens to buy real estate on the island, as well as for political parties to receive large amounts of money from foreign donors.

  • “The retention of international labor is one of the biggest problems,” EY’s director says on integration 

    “The retention of international labor is one of the biggest problems,” EY’s director says on integration 

    In the interest of both native companies and international workers, Ernst & Young (EY) Head of Immigration Rikke Gahrn Wolfsen recommends a change within the Danish integration culture. “The retention of international labor is one of the biggest problems we’re facing at the moment,” she says.