What is the “coronapase”, the pass which allows Denmark to reopen activities and which can become an example for other countries?

With only 11.22% of its population fully vaccinated and with 23.20% of its inhabitants already vaccinated with the first dose against COVID-19, according to data from Our World in Data, Denmark is gradually resuming social life, after almost four months in a semi-confinement situation.

Yesterday, on Labor Day, we observed how the adoption of the ‘know‘, a kind of digital passport, helps places such as bars, restaurants, hairdressers, beauty salons and various entertainment venues to resume commercial activities.

On the outskirts of Forum, a large concert stadium transformed into a coronavirus testing center, located in the university district of Copenhagen, the capital of this European country, the queue of people began to accumulate before sunny Saturday.

While waiting for his turn, the young Casper Beckers, 25, checked the messages of the WhatsApp group that he shares with his friends, where they planned the activities of the night. “It’s huge, such a stark contrast,” he said of the change since Denmark introduced its “coronapass” system last month, allowing much of the country to open up, as he pointed out. The Guardian.

“The bars are open and I can finally see people again almost as usual. The last time I was in a bar, it was so crowded that I thought it was a little irresponsible, ”he added.

Since April 21, places like Bars, cafes, restaurants, museums, sports stadiums and tattoo artists are open to anyone who may have a negative test result of less than 72 hours, or a full vaccination, by means of a digital coronapas certificate., the new instrument to advance in the gradual reopening of the territory which must be completed at the end of May.

For this, the country, which Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 253,600 infected and 2,490 deaths have been recordedAccording to data from the Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center, it has set up testing centers in every district across the country.

In this way, this policy allowed One million people were tested for COVID-19 last week, or about one in four adults. There are even people who choose to take the test several times a week, depending on the activity they want to do.

Coronapase is available through a mobile phone app, as well as in paper format, and is used to prove that the carrier is vaccinated, has already contracted coronavirus – with a positive result between two and 12 weeks – or that ” has tested negative within the last 72 hours.

Denmark is one of the first countries in Europe to apply this type of system. The European Commission is working on the launch of a digital “green certificate” for free movement within the European Union.

However, in the Scandinavian country, the “corona pass” is not used for travel at the moment, although the government intends to do so.

The almost general reopening is scheduled for May 21, a date chosen because it must correspond to the end of the vaccination of over 50s.

According to Danish authorities, “coronapase” is temporary, but must remain in force until the entire population of Denmark has had access to the vaccine.

Locals who do not need the presentation of the “coronapase” will be fined a minimum of $ 470, and up to more than $ 7,000 in the event of a repeat offense, the ministry said recently. the justice of this country. For customers, likewise, the fine will be around $ 390.

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