Following an explosion of COVID-19 infections in the country, Germany has announced a fresh lockdown in its most populous state.
Over 1,500 people have tested positive for the virus at the Toennies slaughterhouse in Rheda-Wiedenbrueck and thousands have been placed in quarantine to check the outbreak.
The infections were linked to the abattoir and the measures come amid fears of a new wave of coronavirus.
Recent reports show that the rate at which the disease is transmitted in Germany has soared in recent days.
The Governor of North Rhine-Westphalia State, Armin Laschet, stated that those in Guetersloh County should only have contact with their own household or one person from outside.
He said cinemas, fitness studios and will be closed but that restaurants could continue to cater for people in the same household.
Germany was among the first European nations to ease its COVID-19 restrictions as it had fared better than many of its neighbors due to its aggressive policy of mass testing.
Unfortunately, infection rates have spiked recently after its citizens emerged from the lockdown and businesses began to reopen.
