Denmark Allows Couples Separated By Border Shutdowns To Reunite. But Only If They Show Some Proof Of Their Love.

Denmark Allows Couples Separated By Border Shutdowns To Reunite. But Only If They Show Some Proof Of Their Love.

Inga Rasmussen, 85, from Denmark and Karsten Tüchsen Hansen, 89, from Germany used to meet at the closed border near the town of Aventoft to have a chat over coffee. The octogenarian couple had been meeting every day in the past one year before countries closed their borders courtesy COVID-19. They have been in a relationship for two years and used to travel often to spend quality time. For now, they just drive to the border and share a few moments of love while maintaining social distancing. While Inga and Karsten are still fortunate that they can still enjoy a beverage while seeing each other just a few meters away, several couples have been separated by distance in almost all parts of the world.

However, Denmark has eased its restrictions with other Nordic countries and Germany and is allowing partners of Danish inhabitants to enter the country. Several cross-border couples, separated by the pandemic, will now be able to meet their partner again. But there’s a catch! The couples have to prove they’ve been in a relationship for at least six months and to support that, they have to provide screenshots of their texts and share their photos.

“They can bring along a photo or a love letter,” deputy chief Allan Dalager Clausen told Danish broadcaster DR. He further added, “I realize these are very intimate things, but the decision to let in the partner ultimately rests on the judgment of the individual police officer.”

It sounds pretty reasonable to me however, a few lawmakers have expressed their displeasure at the lack of privacy in a situation like this. “I’ve never heard of a country where entry requires the showing of intimate texts or photos from a partner. We finally allowed couples to visit each other, but did not abolish the right of privacy,” Kristian Hegaard of the Social-Liberal Party said on Twitter.

https://www.facebook.com/henrik.frandsen.35175/posts/1513857258790047

I don’t understand, what is so private about sharing texts like “Good morning, sweetheart”, “I love you sunshine” or “hey, I am pooping, honey”? I mean, your couple-y conversation isn’t Coca-Cola’s secret formula that has to be kept in a vault. Like you’re getting to finally meet your bae, get over it!  Also, when they say photos, I am pretty sure they don’t mean boob and dick pics you sent each other in times of desperation. What is all this clamour about? Some peeps know no chill.

Caroline Ørsum, a children’s writer based in Copenhagen, is brimming with joy over border ease, as her Indian boyfriend, Soumu who lives in Finland will finally be joining her! “It was a huge relief actually…It’s been really stressful, especially the part about not knowing anything, not having any idea and so your imagination is free to run wild,” she expressed.

The couple had been in a long-distance for more than a year now but they had been meeting regularly. They even celebrated Christmas and New Year’s together. They have been going pretty strong and even had a unique way to celebrate their birthdays. “We made the same cake in two countries, so we’ve been watching ourselves on Skype eating the same cake. We’ve been trying to make it as close as possible, but it’s not quite the same on Skype as in real life,” Caroline revealed.

However, the uncertainty of things has been getting to them and she has been rather frustrated with it all, like so many of us. She even made a support and information exchange group on Facebook for couples separated due to the pandemic. Caroline and Soumu, Inga, and Karsten and several other couples will now be united again, thanks to the new development.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAowLs_Dk71/

ALSO READ: Social Distancing Is Making Couples Feel Like They Are In A Long Distance Relationship. Here Are 5 Signs You Can Survive It.

Denmark has handled the pandemic really well and is even being reasonable right now with the easement of border restrictions. In fact, PM Narendra Modi has appreciated how Denmark eased restrictions without witnessing a surge in cases. India and Denmark will have an exchange of information on medical research, testing kits, and the development of vaccines. We will also be working together to come out of this global crisis with strengthened ways of sustainability and growth.

ALSO READ: Richa Chadha And Ali Fazal Were To Marry At The End Of April. With Their Plans Undone, They’re Giving Us Long Distance Relationship Goals

Akanksha Narang

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