Denmark: Authorities to tighten COVID-19 restrictions from October 29 /update 17

Event

Danish authorities announced on Friday, October 23, that some coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions will be tightened from Thursday, October 29, amid a rise in virus cases in the country. Under the tightening of restrictions, public gatherings will be limited to a maximum of ten people and face masks will become mandatory in all indoor public areas.

Social-distancing measures will remain in place and bars and restaurants are required to close at 22:00 (local time) nationwide. Additionally, working from home where possible is advised. Alcohol sales are also prohibited from 22:00.

As of October 24, Denmark has recorded 39,129 confirmed coronavirus cases since the beginning of the pandemic, and 697 associated deaths. Further international spread of the disease is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures: