The Germany-Denmark border was closed when the coronavirus outbreak hit in March
COPENHAGEN, May 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Denmark has opened its borders to couples who were separated from their partners by the coronavirus lockdown.
As of Monday, cross-border couples who reside in the Nordic countries or Germany can now visit Denmark.
Rules currently require people to prove their relationship with photos, text messages and emails.
But the justice minister has announced these regulations will be relaxed in the coming days, so all that is needed is a letter signed by both parties.
“If you say you are a boyfriend and sign [the letter], we will assume it [is true],” Justice minister Nick Hækkerup told broadcaster TV2.
A number of European countries are considering reopening Europe’s internal borders as the outbreak eases.
Germany has proposed allowing travel to all 26 other EU states plus the UK and non-EU countries like Iceland and Norway that are in the border-free Schengen zone from 15 June. The EU has issued guidance on how best to lift restrictions on travel.
Currently, the authorities say people must give the name, address and contact details of their partner in Denmark, as well as phone records, photos and text histories to prove the relationship.
Permanent residents of Finland, Iceland, Germany, Norway and Sweden all qualify, provided their partner is a resident of Denmark.
Police also said this applies only to people in serious relationships, which they defined as of roughly six months – with actual face-to-face meetings and not purely online or via the phone.
The rules also say anyone from Germany or the Nordic countries who owns a holiday home in Denmark can come to the country.
The new regulations will be good news for thousands of separated couples.
One pair who caught the world’s attention when the outbreak hit Europe in March were octogenarians Inga Rasmussen from Denmark and Karsten Tüchsen Hansen from Germany.
Both have been travelling to the border town of Aventoft to chat and share a drink, sitting at the recommended safe distance.
But there are many others who remain separated from their partners by borders.
Some in Denmark have created a Facebook group, Girlfriends Separated by Border Closures, for those affected under the lockdown.
US President Donald Trump imposed a travel ban on 26 European countries in March, a move met with anger and confusion in the EU. — NNN-AGENCIES
