Denmark removes COVID restrictions, opens many public places – CBS17.com
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HELSINKI (AP) – Denmark lifted several coronavirus restrictions and allowed certain venues to reopen on Sunday despite the spread of the omicron variant in the country.
Cinemas, zoos, museums and theaters were the places that could welcome visitors again. A limited number of spectators also had access to indoor and outdoor sporting events.
Visitors must wear masks at most of these locations and prove that they have been vaccinated or recovered or have recently been negative for COVID-19.
The government plans to further ease coronavirus restrictions on Denmark, which has a population of 5.8 million on 31 January.
Danish Health Minister Magnus Heunicke told reporters earlier this week that the government was monitoring the pandemic situation closely and “would not have been in favor of reopening it if it had not been clear from both its own and external experts.”
According to early studies, the omicron variant is less likely to cause serious illness than the previous delta variant. Omicron spreads more easily than other coronavirus strains and has already become dominant in many countries. It also infects more easily those who have been vaccinated or who have previously been infected with previous versions of the virus.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Wednesday that the lifting of restrictions was based on the recommendations of the government’s own health expert group – the Epidemic Committee – and that her government “intends to follow” the panel’s recommendations.
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