Corona pandemic: France becomes a high incidence area | tagesschau.de

Due to the high number of infections, the federal government classifies France as a high incidence area. This also applies to the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but both countries were previously classified with a higher level of risk.

The federal government will classify France, Slovakia and the Czech Republic starting Sunday as a high incidence area with mandatory testing upon entry. Until further notice, the border can only be crossed if there is a negative corona test that is not older than 48 hours.

For Slovakia and the Czech Republic, this means a downgrade: previously it was considered a virus variant area, which is the highest risk level. The corresponding classification of the Austrian state of Tyrol has also been revoked; it is now designated as a risk zone. On February 14, the federal government declared much of Tyrol, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to be areas with particularly dangerous virus variants. Only Germans and foreigners were allowed to enter with a residence and residence permit in Germany. The only exceptions were for truck drivers and cross-border travelers with systemically important professions.

For the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the downgrade means a clear relaxation of the rules; the current transport ban does not apply either. There have been no regular train and bus connections between the Czech Republic and Germany for weeks. This could change now.

The situation in France is deteriorating

This is different in France: the infection situation there has steadily deteriorated in recent weeks. Authorities report around 30,000 new infections every day. The situation in hospitals is extremely tense in several regions. The number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in a week is currently more than 300.

From an incidence value of 200

Classification as a high incidence area occurs from an incidence value of 200. Anyone entering from these areas must have a negative corona test upon entry. The respective federal states usually have special regulations for cross-border travelers.

The Moselle border region had already been classified as a virus variant zone at the beginning of March. There is already a mandatory test when entering. It will probably only be randomly checked in the future as part of the so-called veil chase behind the border. No stationary border controls are foreseen.

Dreyer: The measure is not directed against France

“It is important for us to contain the infection process and keep the borders open,” said the Prime Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate, Malu Dreyer. The classification as a high incidence area is in no way directed against partners in France, but against the virus.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told Franceinfo that the new regulations would cause problems for travelers. But you want to try to harm them as little as possible. There were checkpoints at the French border last spring. This is one of the reasons why the environment in the border areas is tense.

Merkel: “really necessary”

Chancellor Angela Merkel said at her press conference at the EU summit on Thursday about the possible classification of the whole of France as a high incidence area, that “these were not about political declarations of will, but rather about lasting incidents.” . If the seven-day incidence is “sustainable” at more than 200 new corona infections per 100,000 population, “it is classified as a risk area.” In the case of France, this seems “indeed necessary”, but it does not mean that there are automatic border controls.

The Chancellor stressed that there was “a very specific procedure as to who has to present evidence and how often.” This will be discussed with France and the necessary transition periods will be taken into account. After the French Moselle border region was classified as a virus variant zone at the end of February, there are “well-established procedures”. “I don’t think this is a particularly conspicuous or special measure,” Merkel added.

Tougher measures in parts of France

In three other French departments, stricter crown restrictions for citizens and businesses will apply from the weekend. The administrative districts of Aube and Nièvre in the center of the country and the Rhone in the southeast are affected, Health Minister Olivier Véran announced Thursday night.

These tougher measures have already been in place in the Paris metropolitan area and other parts of France since last weekend. In 16 departments so far, there are also daytime exit restrictions and many stores are closed. Of the roughly 67 million people in France, around one in three has so far been affected by the harshest measures.