World

Denmark is on coronavirus lockdown, making the country the second in Europe to grind to a halt as the life-threatening disease rips across the continent. 

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared that all Danish schools, universities, and kindergartens will be shut for two weeks to slow the spread of the bug.

Tough new measures will also include banning indoor events with 100 or more participants, and sending non-critical public sector employees home.

Private sector workers will also be encouraged to work from home, after the Danish Patient Safety Authority reported 442 new cases yesterday.    

The urgent action follows the World Health Organization's designation of coronavirus as a pandemic, as it blasted 'inactive' governments for fueling the crisis.

In a press conference this evening, Ms Frederiksen said: 'This will have huge consequences, but the alternative would be far worse.

'Under normal circumstances, a government would not present such far-reaching measures without having all the solutions ready for the many Danes concerned.

'But we are in an extraordinary situation.'

According to The Local, the Prime Minister added: '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.' 

Søren Brostrøm, director of the The Danish Health Authority, called the disease 'not only a threat for Denmark, but for the whole world.'

Now that you have read this story, please COVER THE COST for what your visit cost this site by clicking one or more of the ads below which generates Advertiser revenue of two to three cents per click - no purchase necessary by you -- and helps offset operating costs for this web site.

When YOU read a story here, the web hosting company charges us for "data transfer / Bandwidth" to convey the material to you.  Without your help by clicking an ad below, this web site would be in danger of shut down from the data transfer charges.  Please click any ad below to offset the cost of bringing this news to you.