Political agreement has been reached on extension of the period of sick leave benefits for employees who are either at higher risk of Covid-19 infection or are relatives of a person in the higher risk group.

On 20 May 2020, the Danish Government and parliamentary parties passed a bill to provide sick leave benefits to employees who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from infection with Covid-19, as well as employees who are relatives of a person in the higher risk group. For employers that pay wages during such absence, the scheme set out in the bill also allows for sick leave benefit reimbursement starting from the first day of the employee's absence.

You can read more about the bill and the terms of the scheme here.

Originally, the scheme applied to absence up to and including 31 August 2020, but the Government and a majority in Parliament have now agreed to extend the scheme on the same terms up to and including 31 December 2020.

It appears from the agreement that the extension will be fast-tracked through Parliament, and it is expected to be introduced shortly.

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