COPENHAGEN, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- As daily COVID-19 infections break records in Denmark for a second day, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Friday announced tightened restrictions to curb the coronavirus.

Flanked by the finance and health ministers during an evening press conference, Frederiksen described the current epidemiological situation in her country as "worrying."

New figures revealed that daily infections in Denmark jumped to a record 859 cases on Friday, breaking Thursday's record of 760 cases, according to the Statens Serum Institut (SSI).

In total, the country has so far confirmed 38,622 COVID-19 cases, with 697 deaths, according to the daily updated data of SSI.

"In four out of the five regions of Denmark, we have seen very steep increases in infection with the risk of exponential increases if we do not intervene," added Magnus Heunicke, Minister for Health and Elderly Affairs.

The prime minister announced that face masks will be required indoors in public places such as supermarkets, shopping malls, cinemas, hospitals, cultural institutions, and youth education, starting Oct. 29.

Currently, wearing face-masks is compulsory on all public transports and in restaurants in Denmark.

Meanwhile, the sale of alcohol will be forbidden after 10 p.m., effective from Monday. The general assembly ban will be lowered from 50 to 10 people for a preliminary four weeks also from Monday, but with a number of exceptions such as schools and workplaces.

Furthermore, border controls will be tightened until Jan. 2, with a focus on prohibiting the entry of foreign migrant workers, Frederiksen told the press conference.

The prime minister promised that her government would go to great lengths to keep the culture, leisure and social life open as "our reality is to keep as much of society open as we can." She added that it was of the utmost importance that Denmark was kept open for business.

"It is about taking care of Danish business as we take care of each other," said Finance Minister Nicolai Wammen. Enditem

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