Denmark is holding its breath, now the country is opening up

In mid-March, the coronavirus hit Denmark. Then, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at the helm, the government imposed severe restrictions.

The border was closed, pubs and bars were not allowed to open. Nor are shopping malls, hair salons, and various other businesses.

The “closure” of the country is considered by many to be successful. 529 people who have been infected with the corona virus have died, which corresponds to 9.1 out of every 100,000 inhabitants. In Sweden, the corresponding figure is 3,225, which corresponds to 31.5 out of every 100,000 inhabitants.

But now Denmark is slowly moving towards the slightly more open Swedish model. On Monday, the country’s shopping center reopens and a week later it is time for restaurants, bars, cafes, libraries and several other companies to open their doors again.

Many Danes are now concerned that the number of infected and dead will skyrocket.

Danish newspaper Berlingske interviewed Sweden’s Interior Minister Mikael Damberg (S) before the country’s reopening, and raises the question of the Danish fluctuation on the subject, it is a sign that Sweden has chosen the right path in the crisis .

– I do not want to point the finger at other countries and say what they would have done, because each country has different conditions. But from a Swedish perspective, we have always said that we do not see this as a speed race, but as a marathon. That is why our calls to people have been calls that should be able to continue for a very long period, he says.

“You must find a balance”

Berlingske wonders if he can tell his readers that Denmark can approach Swedish strategy peacefully.

– We believe that the strategy worked well both to reduce the spread of infection and to keep medical care flowing. Add to that the economic discussion, how we really save lives and save jobs. You have to find a balance.

The Danish reopening of the country has been criticized. They are both worried that it is premature, but also the actors who are not allowed to open during this phase and think it is unfair.

One of them is the Copenhagen Zoo, after the message that the CEO of the zoo, Jørgen Nielsen, collapsed.

– We have 40,000 square meters of outdoor space, he tells BT.

Soon, the zoo is running a deficit of nearly 75 million.

– We are on a course of disaster and we are approaching bankruptcy with a storm.

The Danish Prime Minister dismissed the criticism when she was interviewed on Danish TV2 on Sunday night.

– I do not buy it. Actually, there is a logical explanation for how we are doing it now. The fact that the country’s mall will open tomorrow is because there are so many employed people there.

But she understands the outrage.

– It is difficult compensation and I can guarantee that situations will arise where you can correctly put the question marks on what we do.

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