Crowds will soon return to Copenhagen as Denmark permits fully-vaccinated tourists from many ... [+]
Tourists from the U.S., Canada and the U.K. are among those now welcome to enter Denmark, with no last-minute testing or self-isolation required.
Announced in a press release by Danish authorities on June 5, the new rules mean that fully-vaccinated residents of all OECD countries will be subject to the same rules as vaccinated people from EU and Schengen nations. This means fully-vaccinated people will be able to enter the country with no special requirements.
The OECD’s 37 members are: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the U.K. and the U.S.
The new rules explained
Before you rush to book a flight, there are a few caveats. The vaccine must be one from the list recognized by the European Medicines Agency, which are Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson. Also, the final vaccine dose must have been administered at least 14 days before arrival in Denmark.
In addition, residents of OECD countries will only be permitted to enter Denmark if their country keeps infection levels under control. If Covid-19 infections push the country into a ‘red’ classification, a ‘worthy purpose’ beyond tourism will be required. Denmark updates its list of red countries weekly.
Anyone from a non-EU/EEA OECD country that is not yet fully vaccinated still requires a ‘worthy purpose’ and recent negative Covid-19 test to enter Denmark, unless that country is categorized ‘yellow.’
Travelers should also be aware of ongoing restrictions within Denmark. Proof of Covid-19 vaccination or a recent negative test result is required to access many attractions and venues including museums and restaurants. According to Denmark’s official coronavirus website, physical copies of documentation in the English language will be accepted.
A boost for Danish tourism
Denmark’s tourist industry is among those celebrating the news. “Before Covid, the U.S. was actually the biggest international market for Copenhagen,” said Visit Denmark’s Katinka Friis to The Local.
She said there is “significant pent-up demand” from U.S. travelers to visit Denmark: “We have so many new museums and hotels opening in Denmark around this time, so it’s a good starting point for rebooting American tourist travel.”
Among the notable new attractions, an immersive new Hans Christian Andersen museum in his hometown Odense opens on June 30. The WorldPride and EuroGames events in August are sure to attract big numbers into Copenhagen, while Tivoli Gardens remains popular 178 years after opening.
