Further reopening of higher education on 21 April

In addition, it will be possible to use outdoor areas for teaching purposes.

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 a plan for the partial reopening of various sectors, including higher education.

Reopening in practice

Reopening will take effect on 21 April and will be geographically differentiated. Following a recommendation from SSI, the reopening will not include the Copenhagen Metropolitan Area, but will cover the areas of North Jutland, East Jutland, West Jutland, South Jutland, Funen and West and South Zealand, which have a lower level of infection than sections of the Copenhagen Metropolitan Area. In the Metropolitan Area, the permitted attendance ratio for students in general will therefore still be 20 per cent.

The framework for the reopening will be 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 practice placements, 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.

Higher education on Bornholm will remain reopened with 100 per cent physical attendance.  

Regulations regarding reopening

In recent weeks, 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 expanded reopening. The sector partnership includes rectors, representatives of student organisations, employees' organisations and the health authorities.

Reopening in the long term

Once vaccination of the oldest and most vulnerable citizens, and of citizens over the age of 50 who chose to be vaccinated, has been completed, the basic premise is that schools and other educational institutions may reopen fully. Before reaching that milestone, the parties to the agreement will at each transitional phase assess whether there are sufficient grounds for allowing even more children and young people to attend school physically. In this connection, flexible models are being considered - e.g., with a focus on outdoor activities, staggered attendance, physical teaching time in smaller groups, etc., as well as regional and local models.

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.