Due to an outbreak of measles in an arrival center for refugees in Berlin-Reinickendorf, a building with around 600 people was quarantined on Monday. The residents are no longer allowed to leave the building for the time being, said the spokesman for the State Office for Refugee Affairs, Sascha Langenbach, to the German Press Agency on Monday evening. Accordingly, two children were diagnosed with measles infection on Monday.
“It is difficult to further restrict the freedom of movement of people who already live in cramped conditions,” said Langenbach. For now, however, a few things need to be checked together with the health department – which, according to Langenbach, imposed the quarantine on Monday. For example, we have to look at which of the refugees have been vaccinated against measles and how old the residents are.
Situation is explained in different languages
In order to explain the situation to people, language mediators who speak Turkish, Arabic or Farsi would be used. According to Langenbach, precautionary measures were taken to protect residents: “The health department has ordered a mask requirement.” This is a tough measure, but safety comes first. Langenbach assured that the distribution of food and hygienic care will continue to be guaranteed.
According to the information, the service building and the emergency overnight accommodations located on the site are not affected by the quarantine. Accordingly, there are three other buildings in which there is space for around 700 people. Asylum seekers in Berlin can still be admitted to the first contact point at Oranienburger Straße 285, said Langenbach.