The Danish government has reintroduced a requirement that people wear protective face masks as of Monday, due to concerns about rising Covid-19 case numbers which are rising rapidly.
The mask requirement applies in daily settings such as public transport or shopping.
The step was approved by a majority in the Danish parliament's epidemic committee late on Thursday evening, following a request by the Danish government and on the request of some of the members of the committee, several members told broadcaster TV2.
The government has not made a recommendation on whether or not retail workers should also wear masks.
The latest regulations also also reduce the period that tests are valid, Health Minister Magnus Heunicke told TV2. Negative PCR tests will only be valid for 72 hours and rapid tests for 48 hours, a reduction of 24 hours in each case.
Health passport
Danes have not had to wear masks in public for several months, with the nation's last remaining restrictions lifted in mid-September.
However, the government reintroduced a requirement that people use a Covid passport again two weeks ago, due to a surge in case numbers.
The passport enables people to prove they have been vaccinated, recovered or tested negative, in order to attend concerts or go to restaurants, for example.
