Denmark scraps pre-departure testing and all domestic COVID restrictions

More good news for those using the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) from Singapore, with confirmation that Denmark has now removed its pre-departure test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers arriving from high-risk countries, including Singapore.

The country has also relaxed nearly all its domestic COVID-19 restrictions, like mask wearing and use of a contact tracing app.

New testing requirements

From 27th December 2021, Denmark has required all travellers from Singapore to have either a pre-departure PCR test conducted no more than 72 hours before arrival or a pre-departure ART test conducted no more than 48 hours before arrival.

Since 1st February 2022, the pre-departure testing requirement has been axed as part of Denmark’s removal of nearly all COVID-19 restrictions. Testing is also waived for those who are not fully vaccinated, but have had a recent COVID-19 infection in the last six months.

You can enter Denmark from COVID-19 high-risk countries without testing or isolation if you are vaccinated or previously infected (positive PCR test, which was performed more than 11 days and less than 180 days ago at the time of entry)

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It’s a far cry from some earlier restrictions, with Denmark even imposing quarantine on travellers from Singapore back in November last year!

Those not fully vaccinated nor recently infected with COVID-19 entering from a high-risk country (e.g. Singapore) will be subject to:

• A COVID-19 test within 24 hours of entering Denmark
• Self-isolation for 10 days

These travellers may end the self-isolation with a negative PCR test result taken no earlier than the sixth day after the date of entering Denmark, if desired.

Fully vaccinated definition

Denmark considers you fully vaccinated if you comply with at least one of the following:

• It has been a maximum of 270 days since you received the second dose of a vaccination that requires two doses.
• You were vaccinated with one dose in a vaccination course that requires only a single dose at least 14 days and no more than 284 days ago.
• You are revaccinated with a second or third dose.

COVID-19 vaccines recognised for entry into Denmark are all those approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and vaccines on the list approved for emergency use by World Health Organization (WHO):

• Pfizer BioNTech (Comirnaty)
• Johnson & Johnson – Janssen Pharmaceutical (COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen)
• Moderna (COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna)
• AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria, formerly COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca).
• Novavax (Nuvaxovid)
• Covishield
• Covaxin
• Sinovac
• Sinopharm

Note that Denmark now recognises Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines, which it didn’t previously.

As an EUDCC-compatible certificate, vaccination records in Singapore are accepted for entry into Denmark without quarantine or isolation.

As we highlighted last month, Denmark now requires travellers to have received a booster dose if it has been around nine months or more since completion of their primary vaccination course.

Denmark drops domestic restrictions

On 1st February 2022, in tandem with its relaxation on pre-departure testing for fully vaccinated or recovered travellers from high-risk countries, Denmark also lifted nearly all its domestic COVID-19 restrictions, with the country saying it “no longer considers COVID-19 to be a socially critical disease”.

That means an end to the requirements to use the contact tracing app to enter shops and restaurants, a return of late-night alcohol sales and an almost total relaxation of mask-wearing mandates, including on public transport.

There remain some exceptions, including mask-wearing at airports and on aircraft.

General COVID-19 restrictions no longer apply in Denmark. Though, in airports, on board airplanes and when visiting homes for the elderly, social institutions and hospitals you may be met with requirements regarding face-masks and COVID-19 certificates.

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The Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen marked the day on her Facebook account.

VTL countries still requiring pre-departure testing

With Denmark now off the list, a total of 15 VTL countries will require a pre-departure test for fully vaccinated Singapore residents in the outbound direction from Changi.

You’ll be subject to testing requirements when travelling to the following countries, in addition to VTL testing on your return:

Testing before travelling to selected countries
based on fully vaccinated travellers departing from Singapore by air

Country	Test type	Test timing	Exemptions
Hong Kong	PCR	48h before departure	—
Japan	PCR	72h before departure	Age 5 or below
Myanmar	PCR	72h before arrival	Age 5 or below
Qatar	PCR	48h before departure	Age 3 or below & Vaccinated Qataris and residents
South Korea	PCR or ART	PCR 2 days before departure or ART 1 day before departure	Age 5 or below
Taiwan	PCR	2 days before departure	Taiwan citizens & residents

If you are heading to a country requiring pre-departure testing, be sure to check our comprehensive updated guide to the cheapest options available in Singapore.

Aside from Denmark, other VTL countries not requiring pre-departure testing include:

• France
• Germany
• India
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• United Kingdom

VTL flights Copenhagen – Singapore

Those visiting Denmark can return on VTL services operated by Singapore Airlines, as shown in the following table (click to expand):

  Full list of all VTL Flights

Process to Singapore

Obviously no testing now applies for fully vaccinated Singapore residents heading to Denmark, but on the way back to Singapore the standard process will apply, as shown below.

VTL Process Singapore

• Must be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccine in Singapore, or any VTL country (e.g. Denmark), or any EU member state, or any non-EU countries that have joined the EU DCC system
• Must have an accepted digital proof of vaccination
• Must have stayed in Singapore or any VTL country for 14 days
• Apply for a VTP in advance*
• Purchase COVID-19 travel insurance (min. coverage of S$30,000)**
• Take a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR or ART test (up to 2 days before departure)
• Travel to Singapore on designated ‘VTL flights’
• Take an on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test
• Self-isolate until the result is available (typically 4-6 hours)
• Take Day 2 to Day 7 self-swab ART tests using Singapore’s approved test kits, or those approved for use in your VTL origin country if you brought them with you, if you will leave your accommodation on those days

* Not applicable for Singapore Citizens or permanent residents
** Not applicable for Singapore Citizens, permanent residents or pass holders

Denmark joins the growing list of Singapore’s VTL countries relaxing its COVID-19 restrictions, and that includes axing the annoying pre-departure test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers.

There are now nine countries for Singapore residents to make two-way quarantine-free trips without having to take a COVID test on the outbound part of their journey, most recently including India and France.

Do note that you’ll need to ensure you have received a vaccine booster dose when travelling to Denmark, if it has been around nine months or more since the final dose of your primary vaccination regime.

A similar restriction to maintain your fully vaccinated status in Singapore is coming in next week, so most of our readers no doubt already comply with this anyway.

(Cover Photo: Shutterstock)