Copenhagen Re-opens — Photo Series

Street life returns to Copenhagen. Impromptu meetings with friends made possible by bikes and sidewalk cafés.

Life in Copenhagen is gradually returning to some semblance of normal after more than two months of Covid19 lockdown. The sense of relief among the population is palpable. I took these photos in the week of 18 May, 2020, after cafés and restaurants were allowed to open. I was at my local wine bar at the first opportunity. If you’re wondering about the lack of facemasks, here’s an article about how the Nordic and Baltic region never resorted to that bandaid solution. And then there is this article about how The Culture of Fear relates to a crisis like this one.

I was interviewed (at left) curbside by my local wine bar, for a rolling video conference with Canadian students by Ole Kassow and Pernille Vedersø Bussone from Cycling Without Age.

Denmark During COVID19

Denmark acted early and effectively. On 13 March, 2020, all public sector employees in non-essential roles were sent home and public institutions were closed, along with high schools. On 16 March, all schools and child-care institutions were closed. On 18 March, shops were closed and restaurants could only sell takeaway food. A limit of ten people gathered together was implemented, with a possible fine of 1500 DKK (€200). Social distancing recommendations were put into place — the classic 2 metre rule of thumb. Danes were free to move about, but the streets were largely empty as people worked from…