District lifts curfew and issues ban for Willingen
The curfew that has been in effect in Waldeck-Frankenberg since December 21 and expired yesterday will not be extended for the time being. The reason for this is that - although the incidence of infection in the district remains high - it has, however, stabilized in recent days at a constant level with an average incidence value of just under 200 for the time being. However, the district feels compelled to take action elsewhere by general order - and is initially prohibiting access to the ski and toboggan slopes and associated parking areas in the municipality of Willingen in the period from January 8 to 10.
The winter weather has attracted numerous visitors to the winter sports region in recent days. At the weekend, the situation in Upland was hardly manageable due to the rush. For reasons of infection control, the district has decided for the initial three-day restriction. This affects the Willingen slopes Sonnenlift, Ritzhagen, K1, Ettelsberg, Wilddieb and Dorfwiese, the Usselen slopes Kahler Pön, Bühler Höhe, Emmet and the ski lift Iberg in Schwalefeld. "After pistes and parking lots were already closed in Winterberg over the weekend, the rush to Willingen was almost unstoppable," reports the mayor of the municipality of Willingen Thomas Trachte. The police therefore had to close on Sunday even the approaches from the direction of Brilon, Korbach and Diemelsee completely for the traffic.
"Minimum distances have been with the mass of day tourists neither keepable, nor controllable - even in the open. Also the mask obligation was disregarded in many cases", reports the First District Commissioner and Head of Health of the district Karl-Friedrich Frese further. "The risk of infection is enormously high under such conditions." One saw therefore no other possibility, for the protection of humans in the district and also that of the guests after consultation with the municipality Willingen and the police directorate Waldeck Franconia to reduce the visitor flows now temporarily by restrictions.
The prohibition applies starting from Friday, 8 January to inclusive Sunday 10 January. In many places, the winter vacations end then, from which one hopes for an easing of the situation in Willingen. Should it be necessary, further measures will be discussed if necessary. The district appeals to all people to comply with the rules, which will be comprehensively controlled by the regulatory authorities of the municipality of Willingen together with the police in the coming days. Violations will be fined up to 200 euros.
"Waldeck-Frankenberg is tourism region number one in Hesse and basically we welcome every guest from the bottom of our hearts," says District Administrator Dr. Reinhard Kubat. The desire to spend time with loved ones in winter sports activities when the weather is nice is more than understandable, he said. "However, we are in the midst of the ongoing pandemic. In the current situation, we must therefore with a heavy heart ask all guests not to come here and stay at home."