“The more spread of infection there is in society, the more difficult it becomes to protect those who are at serious risk of becoming seriously ill. That is why we must react now,” Tyra Grove Krause, head of department at the Statens Serum Institut told Danish state broadcaster TV2. 

 

She said that measures could include tightening the maximum allowed gathering, more use of face masks, increased distance recommendations and a return for many to home working. 

 

Krause's came after health chair of the Denmark's ruling Social Democrats said that with 333 new people testing positive for coronavirus on Sunday, and the highest number of infections last week since April, new coronavirus restrictions would need to be put in place. 

 

On Saturday, police warned that young people in Denmark were no longer following even the light recommendations in place. 

 

 

“We must expect — unfortunately — to see more restrictions,” Rasmus Horn Langhoff said on Sunday. 

 

He said that what restrictions should be put in place would be “up to the health authorities to decide,” but he suggested that  “tailor-made, local solutions” might be best. 

 

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So what restrictions might be on the way? 

 

According to an article in state broadcaster DR, several supermarket chains and restaurants claim to have held discussions with the government about whether it is possible to use face masks to reduce infection.

 

Jens Lundgren, the head of infectious disease medicine at Copenhagen's Rigshospitalet, said that be believed a combination of increased use of face masks and a reduction in the maximum allowed gathering should be enough to bring the pandemic back under control. 

 

“When you're going to put down restrictions, you should look where the problem is, and we know that now — that it's public and private parties,” he said. 

 

As a result, he said the maximum allowed gathering should be reduced in areas with a high level of infection. 

 

But others argued that laws around bars, restaurants and nightclubs would also need to be tightened up. 

 

Allan Randrup Thomsen, a virologist at Copenhagen University, told state broadcaster DR that he believed that nightlife in the capital should be shut down completely. 

 

“When you look at how nightlife is now fully back to normal, I do not think there is any reason to wait for further increases in the number of infections. We have to intervene and shut it down,” he told state broadcaster DR. 

 

Horesta, which represents bars and restaurants in Denmark, said on Monday afternoon that further restrictions would simply push social life out on to the streets and encourage illegal raves and parties. 

 

“The more restrictions are placed on professional nightlife, which already ensures high hygiene and distance, the less attractive it is for young people to go there,” says Kirsten Munk, the trade body's political director told DR. “And then you instead push them out into the streets and alleys, to pirate parties and private parties, where there is not necessarily control over assembly bans, booze or distance.” 

 

In Odense, Copenhagen and 16 other municipalities around the captial, the maximum restriction has already been reduced from 100 to 50, while restaurants have been asked to close at midnight. 

 

The mayor of Frederiksberg in Copenhagen on Sunday called on the Danish government to bring in more restrictions on nightlife, 

 

“It is clear that there is a need for the authorities to step in and impose restrictions,” Simon Aggesen, said. “It does not have to be a total ban, but it can be a little more far-reaching restrictions than today.” 

 

 

On Saturday night, Copenhagen's nightlife was as busy as ever, leading to worried reports in the newspapers on Sunday, despite the police issuing a warning at a press conference on Saturday. 

 

“We are currently seeing behaviour that does not reflect the increase in infection,” said Thorkild Fogdet the head of Denmark's national police, according to TV2. “We are seeing too many handshakes, too many hugs, too many groups, too much crowding, and too little responsibility.” 

 

After a busy Copenhagen Saturday night, Peter Dahl, chief inspector of the Copenhagen Police told BT that the message did not seem to have sunk in.