Coronavirus lockdown measures have been introduced again at a large meat factory in a city near Guetersloh. The state premier, Armin Laschet, says the lockdown will remain in effects until the end of June.
A total of 1,553 workers have so far tested positive at the plant that is operated by Toennies GmbH. These measures were justified when infections in Guetersloh were soon followed with outbreaks at apartments blocks in Berlin and Goettingen that raised concerns making it appear that the raising of the lockdown was indeed a bad decision.
The head of the Robert Koch institute, Lothar Wieler, said on Tuesday that he is optimistic that Germany can evade a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
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He urged that people should remain vigilant as the virus is still at large, and that if given a chance, it will continue to spread.
Guetersloh is the first case of a regional coronavirus lockdown being re-introduced following isolated outbreaks in recent weeks and it might appear that state leaders feel the need to hasten a return to normality.
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The government of North-Rhine Westphalia said it would impose a partial lockdown for a week in the town of Guetersloh’s neighbour municipality, Warendorf which will mainly affect school and public venues.
sources: Robert Koch Institute