In Denmark, a Rare Phenomenon: Fresh Haircuts Has Denmark seen the back of the Coronavirus outbreak?
Policy Analysis by Tala Majzoub, Staff Writer
April 27th, 2020
On Monday, April 20th, Danes were finally able to get professional haircuts for the first time in over a month after governors freed hairdressers from the country’s lockdown.
This was a big week for Denmark. On Friday April 17th, the Danish government promised to relax its more restrictive measures, with small businesses, hairdressers, chiropractors and schools gradually reopening. Naturally, the news triggered a frenzy of activity, as people eagerly prepared to go back to their “normal” lives, everyone in Denmark from union leaders and lawmakers to the Crown Prince of Denmark enthusiastically tweeted about finally being able to get a fresh haircut.
Denmark was also the first Western country to reopen its elementary schools since the start of the pandemic. On Wednesday, pupils held their parents’ hands as they entered their classrooms for the first time in a month. Things seemed normal -- well, almost normal. We’re talking – “To stop the spread of infection, parents weren’t allowed inside. Teachers couldn’t gather in the staff room. The children each now had their own desks, marooned two yards away from their nearest neighbor. During recess, they could play only in small groups. And by the time the school shut again at 2 p.m., they had all washed their hands at least once an hour for the past six hours” – kind of normal.[1]
In recent days, the number of active cases in Denmark has dipped: as of April 23rd, about 8,000 cases and 394 coronavirus-related cases have been recorded.[2] Consequently, numbers of hospital admissions and patients in intensive care have fallen since the beginning of the month. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned countries like Denmark against reopening their societies too quickly for fear of reviving the pandemic before it is properly stamped out. Although the coronavirus death rate in Denmark remains far lower than many other European countries, the death toll can remain incomplete during an outbreak, and disease experts caution that the unpredictable pace of new cases can easily pick up again.
Relative to other European countries, Denmark took early precautions. As of March 11, a raft of restrictions were enforced: gatherings became limited to 10 people, workforce were asked to work from home, and borders were shut. As a result of its early response, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced that it is now possible to ease restrictions. “It's important we don't keep Denmark closed for longer than we need to,” she emphasized.[3]
A Balancing Act
Business leaders are eager to get back to work, as latest data exposes the economic damage stemming from the lockdown. Danske Bank estimated a 25% decline in spending over Easter compared to last year’s numbers (excluding grocery stores that were not subject to substantial restrictions).[4]
Morten Ostergaard, the leader of the Social Liberals that form the leading bloc in the parliament, stresses that the new agreement is a welcoming relief for small businesses, and tweeted about how enthusiastic he is for his hairdresser’s appointment. The decision also followed massive pressure from the parliament’s center right parties. Nonetheless, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen assures that the consultations were moderated by Denmark’s top medical experts.
Despite the fact that some businesses in Denmark are gradually reopening, several other sectors of the economy remain shut. This includes cafes, bars, and restaurants.The slow return to normal is expected to wipe 6% off the country’s GDP, double the contraction seen in a quick re-opening of the economy.[5]
Back to Normal?
This lockdown has clearly taken a toll on economies and livelihoods, yet most restrictions in Denmark will remain enforced at least until the 10th of May, when the government plans on evaluating its next steps. Similarly other countries such as Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, and Austria are also gradually scaling back some restrictions. Meanwhile, other nations watch carefully as they eye the exit route from the economically and socially draining lockdown.
Relative to other European countries, Denmark took early precautions. As of March 11, a raft of restrictions were enforced: gatherings became limited to 10 people, workforce were asked to work from home, and borders were shut. As a result of its early response, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced that it is now possible to ease restrictions. “It's important we don't keep Denmark closed for longer than we need to,” she emphasized.[3]
A Balancing Act
Business leaders are eager to get back to work, as latest data exposes the economic damage stemming from the lockdown. Danske Bank estimated a 25% decline in spending over Easter compared to last year’s numbers (excluding grocery stores that were not subject to substantial restrictions).[4]
Morten Ostergaard, the leader of the Social Liberals that form the leading bloc in the parliament, stresses that the new agreement is a welcoming relief for small businesses, and tweeted about how enthusiastic he is for his hairdresser’s appointment. The decision also followed massive pressure from the parliament’s center right parties. Nonetheless, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen assures that the consultations were moderated by Denmark’s top medical experts.
Despite the fact that some businesses in Denmark are gradually reopening, several other sectors of the economy remain shut. This includes cafes, bars, and restaurants.The slow return to normal is expected to wipe 6% off the country’s GDP, double the contraction seen in a quick re-opening of the economy.[5]
Back to Normal?
This lockdown has clearly taken a toll on economies and livelihoods, yet most restrictions in Denmark will remain enforced at least until the 10th of May, when the government plans on evaluating its next steps. Similarly other countries such as Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, and Austria are also gradually scaling back some restrictions. Meanwhile, other nations watch carefully as they eye the exit route from the economically and socially draining lockdown.