Further reopening of higher education on 6 May

Moreover, from 21 May, the permitted attendance ratio for higher education will be increased to 50 per cent.   The Government, the Liberal Party, the Danish People's Party, the Socialist People's Party, the Danish Social Liberal Party, the Red-Greens, the Conservatives, the Liberal Alliance and the Alternative have agreed on a plan for a further partial reopening of, amongst other areas, higher education.  

Reopening in practice

The reopening will take effect on 6 May and will be geographically differentiated. Following a recommendation from SSI, the reopening will include parts of the Copenhagen Metropolitan Area, including North and East Zealand, which were not part of the most recent previous reopening agreement.  

The framework for reopening in the said parts of the Copenhagen Metropolitan Area is as follows:  

• The permitted general attendance ratio for students in higher education in general will be increased from the current 20 per cent to 30 per cent. In the case of higher education courses involving a lot of practical elements, students in their final semester will still be allowed 50 per cent physical attendance (every other week), just as there will continue to be access to reading rooms, study groups, etc. on campus.        
• Outdoor areas may be used for teaching.        
• From 21 May, the permitted attendance ratio for higher education will be increased to 50 per cent.        

Higher education on Bornholm will remain reopened with 100 per cent physical attendance, just as higher education in the rest of the country will remain reopened with 30 per cent physical attendance according to the most recent previous reopening agreement.  

As part of the present agreement, the parties also agreed that higher education may reopen with a general attendance ratio of 50 per cent from 21 May.  

Regulations regarding reopening

An impressive effort has been made by educational institutions to build up a comprehensive testing capacity. This factor plays a crucial role in relation to a gradual reopening.

In connection with reopening, all staff and students, before attending the institution physically, are required to show a negative test result obtained within the last 72 hours based on either an antigen or PCR test for COVID-19.  

The current guidelines concerning social distancing, hygiene, etc. already discussed in the sector partnership for higher education will also apply to the further reopening. The sector partnership includes rectors, representatives of student organisations, employees' organisations and the health authorities.

For further information:

Queries from institutions of higher education regarding COVID-19 may be addressed to: info-covid-19@ufm.dk.

Press inquiries may be made using the press line of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science: +45 7231 8181.

Students will receive additional information from their educational institutions, which they should contact if they have any questions.