For this European country, the pandemic is over

The delta variant still keeps the planet preoccupied with COVID-19. However, there is one European country that has decided to theoretically turn the page on this pandemic.

With more than 70% of the country's population vaccinated, the government has decided to end its restrictions on September 10th and return to the old normality.

Which is the country that so confidently has declared the end of the pandemic?

The government of Denmark has decided to call the pandemic a thing of the past. It argues that COVID-19 is no longer a national threat but rather a disease (like many others) that the immunized population has largely under control. The country's Ministry of Health doesn't even include the coronavirus as a "critical illness for society."

The Danish government believes that covid-19 is “under control” and that residents can return to their former usual lives. They will no longer be required to present the 'covid passport' (proof of  vaccination and/ or negative testing) to enter restaurants, bars and other public places.

Denmark is one of the countries in the world with the highest percentage of population vaccinated. The small northern European country reached 74.9% at the end of August.

As in other countries, there had been protests in Denmark against the government's restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus. These measurements had never been as harsh as in other countries, though. In fact, confinement had only been a recommendation, not a requirement.

The truth is that COVID-19 was tragic in Denmark as in other countries. So far, there have been 342,866 infections and 2,575 deaths for a country of 5.8 million inhabitants. The pandemic brought suffering to many homes.

Although the use of the mask outdoors was never mandatory, antigen tests were offered free of charge, including in booths set up in the street.

In another European country, Spain, the use of a mask was mandatory outside of the house until late June 2021. Indoors, in stores and other public places, it is still obligatory. Spain has a vaccination percentage of approximately 70%, but it considers the pandemic to be far from over.

According to data from Johns Hopkins University, mortality in Denmark is currently 44.42 per 100,000 inhabitants. At the end of August, 127 people were hospitalized for a coronavirus infection.

Has Denmark really achieved group immunity with its 75% vaccination rate? It is risky to rely on it. With the delta variant (more contagious and more likely to cause severe symptoms), scientists advise vaccinating more than 90% of the population.

The Danish government therefore warns that it will not hesitate to reinstate the pandemic measurements if it detects a worrying increase in COVID-19 cases.

Denmark may serve as a thermometer on the direction of the pandemic. What happens there from now on may inspire measures in other countries that are going through a similar moment.

Still, scientists prefer that we remain cautious. Above all, they emphasise the importance of vaccinating the people in poor countries - both for their own safety and for the prevention of mutations. If the virus continues to circulate, there and around the world, new variants will be able to emerge.

The exhaustion caused by almost two years of pandemic in the world leads to a widespread desire for everything to go back to what it was. Going to a concert, for example, was synonymous with joy and not danger.

(Image: Nainoa Shizuru / Unsplash)

For now, in Denmark there may already be large group meetings. Even parties, both outdoors and indoors, can be held like before.

(Image: Brian Kyed / Unsplash)

Hopefully, soon, everyone will be able to say goodbye to COVID-19 or, at the very least, find that the disease is just (and no more than) a nuisance like the flu.

Next: Do governments exaggerate when they mandate vaccination to get into certain buildings, events, or transportation?