Denmark Suspends Handshake Rule for Citizenship Due to Covid-19

(Bloomberg) --

Denmark is resuming citizenship ceremonies after temporarily suspending a handshake requirement with mayors due concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic, the government said Thursday.

The government had halted naturalization ceremonies following advice from health authorities, leaving 2,700 applicants in limbo. The handshake requirement, which was introduced by the previous government, has been criticized for targeting immigrants whose religious beliefs prevent them from touching members of the opposite sex.

Read more: Denmark Accused of Using Virus Law to Crack Down on Immigrants

The Social Democrat-led government plans to reinstate the handshake requirement as soon as health authorities advise that it no longer poses a health threat.

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