As part of the agreement of 20 May on a further re-opening in phase 2, a series of guidelines and specific travel advice were issued to facilitate necessary international business travel to and from Denmark, while continuing to observe sound health precautions. This initiative meets a critical need cited by Danish businesses, trade unions and employer associations. As a small, open economy, Denmark is deeply dependent on international exports.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Jeppe Kofod says:
“More than 800,000 Danish jobs are directly tied to our exports. Many of these jobs might disappear if we do not open up for business travel. However, it is essential to the Government that the resumption of business travel is carried out in observation of the necessary health precautions. We must not risk the success of our effective efforts thus far.”
The guidelines and travel advice for business travellers are based on the work of the sector partnership Headed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs the sector partnership has involved Danish business organisations, labour unions and employer associations as well as the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Transport and Housing, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Employment, the Ministry of Immigration and Integration, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.
It remains imperative that businesses are aware of the risks associated with travel.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Jeppe Kofod says:
“We are focusing on business travel that is deemed essential. Everything that can be postponed should still be postponed or performed virtually. Guidelines and practical travel advice have been drawn up to reduce the risk of becoming infected in connection with business travel. Everyone returning home to Denmark from business travel abroad will be offered a test. We will also be launching additional communication efforts, based on the recommendations of the Danish Health Authority, to ensure that business travellers entering Denmark observe practices which minimise the risk of contagion.”
Alongside the re-opening for necessary business travel, the Government is expanding the list of worthy purposes for entering Denmark that apply to people with permanent residence in the Nordic countries and Germany. The updated list permits entry into Denmark by holiday home owners, romantic partners, fiancés and grandparents from these countries.
As stated in the agreement of 20 May on a further re-opening in phase 2, the Government will present a plan for the controlled and gradual re-opening of summer tourism, in observation of the necessary health precautions, thus providing clarity for the tourism industry. The Government will announce this plan by 29 May 2020.
Read more in the guidelines, travel advice for business travel and information for business travellers entering Denmark.
For additional press information:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark press desk
Tel.: +45 61 97 92 47
@: pressevagten@um.dk
