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Tuesday 20 October 2020
In the spring, Germany quickly introduced border controls to prevent the spread of the corona virus. The unpleasant consequences: commuters and truck drivers are stuck in traffic jams, unmarried couples cannot see each other for weeks. The Bavarian Interior Minister can still imagine a new edition.
In view of the acute situation of the crown in Europe, the Bavarian Minister of the Interior, Joachim Herrmann, considers it possible that we will have to speak again about border controls. “The discussion about increased border controls could flare up again if the infection situation in neighboring countries gets out of control,” the CSU politician told the Funke media group newspapers.
“At the same time, we are attentive to the close economic relations with intensive travel of employees, for example, with the Czech Republic and Austria.” In the Czech Republic, the number of new corona infections had recently skyrocketed. The number of new infections is increasing in Austria as well, as is practically everywhere in Europe.
Maas talks about “bad experiences”
Unlike Herrmann, the Secretary of State for the Federal Interior Ministry, Stephan Mayer, denied that the closures were resumed. When asked if the growing number of corona once again threatened the closure of borders, the CSU politician told the “Passauer Neue Presse”: “No. The situation in mid-March 2020 was marked by great uncertainty in the virus treatment in Europe and around the world. “In the spring there were no regional anti-corona concepts. “Therefore, renewed controls at internal borders due to the pandemic should be avoided,” Mayer said. However, the federal government is watching the development of the crown “with great attention.”
More recently, Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas warned against renewed border closures in the wake of the crown pandemic. In the spring of this year, they had “bad experiences with border closing too quickly.” At the beginning of the crown pandemic, Germany reintroduced border controls – there was chaos on many borders with neighboring countries. Cross-border travelers working in the other country were allowed to cross the border, but since most of the crossings were closed, there were long traffic jams and waiting times. In addition, people had to carry exit certificates and proof of their place of work or residence. Unmarried couples and families were separated for weeks. Entry rules were relaxed again in mid-June.
