‘Noticeable’ Rise In Cases Around German Meatpacking Plant

Local authorities brought back lockdown measures in two German districts last week after an outbreak of coronavirus at a meatpacking plant near the city of Gütersloh.

All workers at the Tönnies plant were ordered into quarantine. Residential blocks for employees were cordoned off, and officials began handing out food packages to those isolating inside.

On Sunday health officials announced a “noticeable” rise in confirmed cases around Gütersloh, including among people without any connection to the plant.

It’s now unclear whether authorities will extend the lockdown. When German Chancellor Angela Merkel lifted national restrictions in May, she imposed a so-called “emergency brake”, requiring local authorities to reimpose restrictions if cases rose above a threshold of 50 per 100,000 people over a seven-day period.

In Warendorf, this figure is reportedly at 21.2. But in Gütersloh the number could reportedly be as high as 170 per 100,000 inhabitants.

North Rhine-Westphalia premier Armin Laschet will give a press conference later announcing the decision for the two districts.