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Coronavirus DK: Face masks finally mandatory
Coronavirus DK: Face masks finally mandatory
Denmark has passed a law requiring people to wear face masks (DK) on public transportation. The number of infections in the country had been rising for around a month when the government adopted this measure on August 15. The requirement took effect on Saturday, August 22 and runs until October 31. It applies to passengers over the age of 12 in taxis and traffic terminals as well as on trains, buses and ferries.
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| Masks required in Metro stations. Phto: Emil Helms © Ritzau Scanpix.) |
Transportation staff are authorized to request that passengers wear a mask or leave the vehicle or station. If they refuse to leave, they can be fined DKK 2,500 (about USD 400). People can be excused from the requirement for medical reasons if they have a recommendation from their doctors. Previously, face masks were recommended on public transportation during rush hour, but they weren’t mandatory. During the first months of the pandemic, health official maintained that masks were not effective enough to warrant mandatory use.
Transportation Minister Benny Engelbrecht (DK), who rode a bus and a train Saturday morning, was pleased that people were complying with the new rule: “I am very proud of the many passengers who are fully cooperating with the requirement and using masks quite naturally.”
Resurgence is leveling off
The country saw the number of daily infections rise to over 150 in the past two weeks after outbreaks in Aarhus and other locations. It has fallen in the past few days, however, and the reproduction rate is back at around 1.0. Despite the resurgence of infections, the number of hospitalizations and deaths has remained low (DK). On August 22, there were 16,239 confirmed cases, 22 hospitalized patients (1 in ICU), and 622 deaths. More than 1.5 million have now been tested, over one quarter of the population.
Pirate parties
There is also concern that young people have been holding secret private parties (DK) in order to get around the ban on concerts, nightclubs and gatherings of more than 100 people. These so-called “pirate parties,” which charge admission, often have DJs, dance floors and illegal sale of alcohol. The arrangers say that they have begun holding them because young people have nothing to do and are bored with life during the pandemic. They also say that they urge the attendees to wear masks and practice social distancing and bear no responsibility for spreading the virus. The police try to respond to the increasing number of complaints about noise during the night but cannot control all of these parties, which sometimes take place in remote locations on the outskirts of Copenhagen.
Vaccine deal in place
The country has recently signed an agreement with the EU to provide 40 percent of its citizens with a coronavirus vaccine (DK) if the vaccine becomes available. The objective, though, says Minister of Health Magnus Heunicke, is that a vaccine will be available for everyone. There have been no significant anti-mask and anti-vaccine movements in Denmark.