Denmark imposes quarantine on arrivals from Singapore

Yesterday we reported how the Netherlands became the first country to respond to the latest downgrading of Singapore from the EU’s “safe list”, by imposing a new pre-departure testing requirement for those arriving on or after 9am on 13th November 2021.

We also mentioned that this was likely to be only the first such tightening of restrictions we would see from EU nations in the coming days and, sure enough, Denmark has quickly become the second country to react to the change.

Quarantine is now required

With effect from 4pm on 10th November 2021, Denmark has moved Singapore into its “high-risk” category of countries.

That’s terrible news for would-be travellers, because it means that on arrival you must now:

• take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours; and
• self-isolate for 10 days immediately after entry.

In Denmark, you can complete self-isolation in your own home, or at another suitable facility such as in a hotel room.

If you go into isolation in a private home, you are allowed to go outside into a private garden adjacent to your home, but you may not go out into public areas.

Freedom after 4 nights

It is possible to end the self-isolation period early with a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken, at the earliest, on the fourth day after entry (e.g. if you arrive on Monday, you can test on Friday).

Self-isolation can then end once a negative test result is returned.

Note: COVID-19 testing is free of charge in Denmark.

You are permitted to leave your self-isolation to have required COVID-19 tests performed, but you must return to isolation “without undue delay”.

An EUDCC will help

If you were vaccinated in Singapore but have managed to convert your vaccination certificate into an EU Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC) – you’re in luck.

Even if you arrive in Denmark from a “high-risk” country like Singapore, post-arrival testing and self-isolation are not required if you have an EUDCC showing that you were fully vaccinated at least two weeks (and at most 12 months) before arrival.

Denmark

Published 10.11.2021

1. Passengers are subject to a COVID-19 test upon arrival.

This does not apply to:

…

– passengers with an EU Digital COVID Certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks and at most 12 months before arrival

…

2. Passengers could be subject to self-isolation for 10 days.

This does not apply to:

…

– passengers with an EU Digital COVID Certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks and at most 12 months before arrival

Source: IATA Timatic Database (updated 10 Nov 2021)

You’re also off the hook for the post-arrival test and self-isolation if you have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate issued in a country with EUDCC interoperable certificates:

• Albania
• Armenia
• Israel
• Morocco
• North Macedonia
• Panama
• Turkey
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom

The certificate must similarly show that you were fully vaccinated at least two weeks (and at most 12 months) before arrival, using AstraZeneca, Janssen, Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines.

Unfortunately, Singapore vaccination certificates still don’t enjoy interoperability with the EUDCC (but… Panama’s do??).

Obtaining an EUDCC

In countries like Germany and France you can use your Singapore vaccination certificate to obtain an EUDCC at a local pharmacy, either free or for a nominal fee.

That’s probably not practical if you’re in Singapore at the moment and wishing to travel quarantine-free to Denmark, but there is another option.

Switzerland will issue an EUDCC on the basis of your Pfizer or Moderna vaccination in Singapore, for a fee of CHF 30 (~S$44).

It’s not a cheap option, especially for a family, but it should mean you can enter Denmark with no testing and no quarantine.

Entering via another country

If entering Denmark via a “third country” comes to mind, in order to avoid arrival quarantine, beware.

Denmark is not concerned about which country you enter from, but instead which country you are normally resident in.

For Singapore residents, you’ll still be out of luck trying to enter via another country (e.g. Germany), assuming you were fully vaccinated in Singapore and you don’t have an EUDCC.

A positive test result will help

There aren’t too many benefits from contracting COVID-19, but if you have been unlucky enough to do so and you have a positive COVID-19 PCR test result issued at least 14 days and at most 12 months before arrival – there’s no testing or quarantine in store when you arrive in Denmark.

The test result must be in Danish, English, French, German, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish or Swedish in order to be eligible.

Update: SIA offers refunds

Singapore Airlines has made the following statement for those with bookings on its flights to Denmark:

“Customers affected by the change in entry requirements for Denmark may rebook or request a refund at no additional charge. Customers who booked directly with us my reach out to us through our Assistance Request Form for assistance.

“For bookings made through a travel agency or partner airline, customers can contact them directly for assistance.”

Singapore Airlines

With progressively positive news on border openings over the last few weeks, it’s sad to be writing two articles in succession about additional restrictions for Singapore residents travelling overseas.

This has come about due to recent COVID-19 case numbers in Singapore, and the EU’s subsequent removal of the country from it’s “safe list”, leaving member states to react accordingly as they see fit.

Quarantine is understandably a deal-breaker for many, even with the option to be confined for only four nights when arriving into Denmark.

An EUDCC is your ticket to freedom in this case, which you can obtain for a fee via Switzerland, or perhaps at a European pharmacy if Denmark isn’t your first port of call on the continent.

This situation wouldn’t even arise if Singapore vaccination certificates had interoperability with the EUDCC, which they surely will eventually, but it’s disappointing this hasn’t happened yet (come on Singapore, Panama has managed it!).

Standby for news on what the remaining EU countries will decide regarding Singapore travellers in the comings days, with France, Germany, Italy and Spain yet to show their cards.

(Cover Photo: Shutterstock)