Background information

In May, the Danish Parliament agreed on a solution in the sickness benefit system, so that people in the special risk group for COVID-19 and their relatives are guaranteed support if they stay home during the reopening of Denmark.

The Parliament has allocated a reserve of DKK 200 million to the scheme.

The scheme came into force in May 20, and will apply until September 1.

Content of measure

The scheme is based on the National Board of Health's list of diseases and conditions that may lead to an increased risk of an elongated or serious course of illness in the case of COVID-19 infection, and the National Board of Health's recommendations for relatives of persons in the risk group. It is the individual's doctor who must specifically assess whether the employee is in the risk group or is related to a person in the risk group.

Persons in the special risk group and relatives may, in agreement with the employer, stay away from work during the reopening of Denmark and receive wages during the absence period or sickness benefit if the employer does not pay wages. The premise is that there are no opportunities to work from home or be relocated so that you are not exposed to the risk of infection.

Private and public employers who pay salaries to employees at risk or relatives while at home are entitled to sickness benefit reimbursement from the first day of absence.

Use of measure

Unknown.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
The COVID-19 risk group at the workplace	Applies to all businesses	The COVID-19 risk group

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No involvement.

Views and reactions

There were no particular reactions to the measure from the social partners.

Sources

• 10 July 2020: The Parliament Agreement on support for people who are at higher risk for severe illness (bm.dk)
• 26 August 2020: Aftale om forlængelse af ordning for lønmodtagere i øget risiko ved smitte med covid-19 og pårørende til personer i øget risiko (bm.dk)
• 22 December 2020: L 123 Draft law amending sickness benefit and maternity law (www.ft.dk)
• 23 March 2021: Majority extends sickness benefit schemes for corona sufferers and ensures maternity leave for self-employed with closed companies (bm.dk)
• 23 March 2021: L 192 Draft law amending the Law on Sickness Benefits and the Maternity Act. (www.ft.dk)