Denmark in lockdown, shuts down schools and universities to fight coronavirus pandemic

Denmark’s Prime Minister  Mette Frederiksen has announced that the country will close all kindergartens, schools and universities for two weeks to slow the spread of the coronavirus virus.

All public sector employees who do not perform critical functions will also be sent home on paid leave.

The dramatic decision came after the Danish Patient Safety Authority reported 442 new cases of coronavirus on on Wednesday evening, bringing the number of people in quarantine to 1,303.

 

Frederiksen said that measures to help soften the blow would be announced in due course.

 

“We will not get through this as a country without a cost. Businesses will close. Some will lose their jobs. We will do what we can to mitigate the consequences for employees,” she said.

 

At the press conference Frederiksen advised everyone in Denmark who is in a position to work from home to do so. The government has also banned all indoor events with 100 or more participants.

 

Read more via Reuters