Germany – German authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia are bringing back local lockdown measures after a coronavirus outbreak linked to a meatpacking plant.
Over 1.500 employees of the Tonnies plant have tested positive.
State premier Armin Laschet said the “preventative measures” in Gutersloh district, home to about 360,000 people, would last until June 30.
This is the first move since Germany began lifting its lockdown restrictions nationwide in May.
Laschet described the outbreak linked to the Tonnies meatpacking plant, south-west of Gutersloh, as the “biggest infection incident” in the country.
“We have decided that further measures are necessary,” he said.
People are not barred from leaving the area, but Laschet appealed for local residents “not to travel to other districts”.
Bars, museums, cinemas and gyms must all close, and restaurants can only serve meals to take away. They have reinforced stricter social distancing measures.
Schools and nurseries for 50,000 children have been closed.
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