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Outbreaks among hundreds of workers at German meat processing plants, such as at Tönnies in ��ü�ٱ�������dz� last June, shocked Germans and led to a change in the law, says Jenny Hill.

But the 59-year-old with Wallonian roots has floundered during the pandemic, in which he emerged as one of the most prominent voices of relaxing social distancing restrictions – only to then have to coordinate Germany’s first “second lockdown” following a Covid-19 outbreak at an abattoir in ��ü�ٱ�������dz�.

Officials in North Rhine-Westphalia brought back restrictions around ��ü�ٱ�������dz� in June after more than 1,500 Tönnies plant workers tested positive.

Restaurants, bars and gyms can now reopen in ��ü�ٱ�������dz� district, and up to 10 people can meet outside - in line with national restrictions.

"I am happy for the people in the district. We now have a bit more freedom again," said ��ü�ٱ�������dz� district head Sven-Georg Adenauer.