Denmark to remove all COVID measures next week

From February 1 Denmark will become the first EU country to lift all COVID restrictions.

Danish health minister Magnus Heunicke stated to parliament that based on recommendations of the parliament's epidemiology committee "rules will lapse when the illness will no longer be categorized as ‘socially critical’ on 1 February 2022."

As the music industry will return to normality Esben Marcher from the festival organisation Dansk Live told Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet: “It’s unbelievably positive. This means that the venues can once again do standing concerts.

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“So now it is approaching that you can do things as you usually do. And we are of course happy about that.”

Marcher added: “There will of course be a focus on how we can revive volunteering after almost three years with [COVID].

“Whether it is a venue or a festival, there have been shutdowns and major changes.

“We need to share good experiences and ideas with each other so we all get back to our full potential.”

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On Wednesday, health minister Heunicke reassured the country that the Omicron subvariant BA.2 may appear more contagious, but it is not as severe.

BA.2 became a recognised dominant strain in the second week of January however according to the Evening Standard, the BA.1 strain of Omicron currently accounts for 98% of global cases.

Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter