A cluster in the Toennies meat processing plant in the area has caused Germany's coronavirus reproduction rate to rise sharply. On Tuesday North-Rhine Westphalia state Prime Minister Armin Laschet said the entire district -- home to more than 360,000 people -- would be locked down for the next seven days.
Laschet said the new measures were necessary because 1,553 workers at the Toennies factory have tested positive for the virus in recent days.
From Wednesday people living in Guetersloh can be tested for coronavirus by their medical general practitioner, even if they do not have symptoms. The tests were previously conducted by diagnostics centres.