ZCZC
BFF-28
HEALTH-VIRUS-GERMANY
Merkel slams ‘unacceptable’ stigma against people in virus hotspots
BERLIN, June 26, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Anger against people from two
districts in Germany under new coronavirus lockdowns is “completely
unacceptable and disgusting”, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman
said Friday after reports they are being targeted with insults and
vandalism.
“That people from Guetersloh and Warendorf are sometimes insulted,
that their cars are scratched, is of course completely unacceptable
and disgusting behaviour,” Steffen Seibert told a regular government
press conference.
“We must treat each other with respect and sympathy, especially in
difficult situations,” Seibert said, adding that anyone could find
themselves suddenly living in a COVID-19 hotspot.
German authorities on Tuesday ordered fresh lockdowns in the two
neighbouring districts in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia after a
coronavirus outbreak at a slaughterhouse that has infected more than
1,500 workers.
However, of 1,655 tests carried out in the wider population in
Guetersloh by Thursday, only three had come back positive, according
to local authorities.
Several German states have nevertheless said they will turn away
would-be tourists from the affected districts.
A couple from Guetersloh were booted off the Baltic Sea island of
Usedom earlier in the week, while Bavaria said its hotels would not be
taking bookings from anyone from high-risk areas.
North Rhine-Westphalia state premier Armin Laschet has advised
people to get tested for COVID-19 if they wish to travel elsewhere in
Germany.
“For those people who are planning a holiday, we recommend that you
get tested,” he said. “But one thing is not OK: that people from the
district of Guetersloh are openly stigmatised.”
Germany became the first major EU country to begin easing virus
restrictions about seven weeks ago.
It is now counting on contact tracing — both through human
trackers and a new app — to ensure new infections are isolated.
BSS/AFP/MRU/1821hrs