Denmark is preparing for the imminent summer season. With the implementation of a COVID passport, the country hopes to entice travellers back.
Nyhavn, København, Denmark. Picture: Unsplash
The vaccine rollout has gone smoothly and the government is well on their way to vaccinating the entire population of 5.8 million by June 2021.
The COVID passport system aims to be launched as soon as possible.
Speaking to CNN, Denmark’s acting finance minister, Morten Bødskov, said: ‘Denmark is still hard hit by the corona pandemic. But there are parts of Danish society that need to move forward, and a business community that needs to be able to travel’
Government is under pressure to reopen borders as, like in South Africa, the entertainment, travel and hospitality industries are near collapse.
Within the Scandinavian country, 800,000 jobs are aligned with international trade.
‘If we want to start to export again and trading again, see business people meet again, things like the corona passport are fundamental to making that happen,’ Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said to CNN.
‘If you start when COVID-19 has left society, it will be too late. With this project we’re very positive we will have a summer of joy, of football, of music. So better get started sooner, now, to plan,’ said Lars Ramme, the head of tourism for the Danish Chamber of Commerce.
Covid passports
The International Air Transport Association has been developing a COVID passport since late 2020. Other available options include Commons Project Foundation, a nonprofit, as well as IBM and Clear, a secure ID company.
The Common Project’s Common Pass is being trialled by various airlines, albeit in a controlled capacity, according to CNN.
IBM’s Digital Health Pass uses QR codes that are updated to show medical data.
Mink farms
In November 2020, Denmark came under fire by animal rights organisations when the government announced plans to cull between 15-17 million mink to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Human Society International commended the government for its move to protect citizens but also condoned the practice of fur farming.
‘HSI urges the Danish government to assist fur farmers to transition to other activities. There has never been a more compelling time for Denmark to shut down this sick industry for good,’ said Dr Joanna Swabe, Humane Society International/Europe’s senior director of public affairs.
Scientists discovered a mutated version of the virus was present in the mink and it had spread to humans when the decision was made. The animals were buried in mass 2m deep graves.
The country is the globe’s largest exporter of mink fur.
