Copenhagen’s biggest event venues transform into vaccination centres

Playing their part in the effort to deal with the current Covid-19 situation, two of Copenhagen’s largest venues, Bella Center Copenhagen and Øksnehallen exhibition space (and former market hall) operated by DGI-Byen, have transformed to become vaccination centres. With plenty of space, both venues offer a suitable environment for safely vaccinating local city residents. “It is great to see how Copenhagen’s meetings industry is once again able to help the Danish Covid-19 efforts. We have already seen how venues have transformed into test centres and now Bella Center and Øksnehallen are set to play a key role in Copenhagen’s vaccination plans,” said Kit Lykketoft, director of Conventions at Wonderful Copenhagen CVB. Bella Center and Øksnehallen make up two of the five vaccination centres in the Copenhagen City Region. Both venues also acted as test facilities and Bella Center continues to offer drive-in quick tests that don’t require prior booking. With more than 5,500sqm and multiple exits, Øksnehallen is central and easy to reach for people who don’t have a car. “Øksnehallen is located right in the heart of Copenhagen and is therefore easy to reach for most Copenhageners. We provide a safe setting with plenty of space to ensure enough distance between people. In addition, we have many years of experience in organising and hosting various events and activities and we look forward to contributing to the Danish vaccination efforts,” Kevin Helsinghof, CCO at DGI Byen, told CMW. The local health authorities say they expect the two vaccination centres to open on 13 January 2021. Elsewhere in the capital, the national football stadium Parken has become Denmark’s largest test centre and the capital’s hotels are working together with the City of Copenhagen, providing rooms and facilities for self-isolation (read more here)   Photo of Øksnehallen courtesy of Visit Copenhagen