Copenhagen, Nov. 6, (dpa/GNA) – The Danish government on Thursday announced a regional shutdown affecting about 280,000 people in western Denmark, following the discovery of a mutated form of coronavirus found to have been transmitted between minks and humans.
Residents in seven municipalities in northern Jutland were advised to remain in their regions until December 3.
The shutdown, including a halt to public transport, is necessary to control the virus, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told a press conference.
She urged all residents in the seven municipalities to take a coronavirus test.
In addition, people were advised to work from home, and public gatherings were limited to at most 10 people.
Restaurants and bars are only to be allowed to offer takeaway meals from Saturday. Museums, libraries, swimming pools and gyms will also close.
From Monday, students in high schools are to revert to online teaching, as will primary school pupils in grades 5 to 8.
The moves were announced the day after the government ordered the cull of all minks bred at fur farms in the country – most located in northern Jutland – after the discovery of the mutated virus.
This form of the coronavirus was found to weaken the ability to form antibodies and could potentially make vaccines under development ineffective, the government said.
So far 12 people have been identified with the new form of the virus. They have not shown more severe forms of disease, health officials said.
The cull affects an estimated 15 million minks in the country, the world’s leading producer of mink furs.
GNA