German authorities ordered new lockdowns for two districts in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the first since easing coronavirus restrictions and a major setback for hopes of a swift return to normality.

The move came after a coronavirus outbreak at a slaughterhouse that has infected more than 1 500 workers.

“For the first time in Germany, we will return an entire district to the measures that applied several weeks ago. The lockdown would affect 360 000 people in the district of Gutersloh, and would stay in place until at least June 30, - said Armin Laschet, state premier of North Rhine-Westphalia.
A second neighbouring district was placed under lockdown just hours after restrictions were re-imposed for Gutersloh.

The new outbreak occurred at a slaughterhouse in the town of Rheda-Wiedenbrueck that employs nearly 7 000 people. As of Sunday, 21 people were being treated in hospital, six of them in intensive care. The outbreak in Germany"s most populous state is the biggest since the country began lifting the lockdown in early May.