Denmark extends virus measures as it passes 100,000 cases

Denmark on Thursday extended virus restrictions already in place in 38 municipalities to a further 30 areas as new cases continue to rise, the country's health minister said.

With the extension, nearly 60 percent of Danes are now affected by the tightened curbs including the closure of bars, restaurants and cultural venues as well as secondary schools.

The restrictions will remain in force until January 3.

Health authorities at the same time recorded a record 3,132 cases in 24 hours on Thursday in the country of 5.8 million inhabitants, bringing the total above 100,000.

Magnus Heunicke, Denmark's health minister, however assured citizens during a press conference that the epidemic was still "under control" in the country.

"Stay at home! Resist the urge to have guests and meet too many people", prime minister Mette Frederiksen urged Danes as she arrived in Brussels for an EU summit.

Tighter restrictions for capital Copenhagen and its suburbs, together with the cities of Aarhus and Odense, were announced on Monday.

The latest extension covers the regions of Zealand (the area around Copenhagen) and central Jutland in the country's west and will come into force on Friday.

These measures follow a series of nationwide restrictions imposed at the end of October as the second wave of coronavirus was mounting in Europe.

© 2020 AFP