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The introduction of German border controls receives harsh criticism in the EU. “The measures have very serious effects throughout Austria and are therefore in clear contradiction to the learned lessons since last spring, “Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said on Monday. The EU Commission reiterated its dissatisfaction with the German approach. France was also irritated.” This is a difficult decision, “said European Secretary of State Clément Beaune. Talk to neighboring German federal states so there are no” unpleasant surprises. “In Berlin, the federal government spokesman did not rule out the possibility of entry restrictions from France on request.
To curb the entry of crown mutations into Germany, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) had banned entry from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and parts of the Tyrol. Exceptions apply to nursing staff and in emergency situations. A regulation for travelers from systemically important industries is still in the works. Without a negative test and digital registration, entry from these areas is not possible at this time.
On Monday morning alone, federal police searched about 10,000 people and refused entry to one in two people, the Federal Interior Ministry said. The traffic jams formed on the border between Germany and the Czech Republic, sometimes more than 20 kilometers long. At the border crossing with Tyrol, on the other hand, it was initially quiet.
The Ministry calls the controls an “absolute exception”
“The federal interior minister considers border controls in the heart of Europe to be an absolutely exceptional case,” said his spokesman. When asked if entry from France could soon be banned, government spokesman Steffen Seibert reacted evasively. In principle, everyone agrees that the strictest controls “are not the normal state” and “should be understood as a last resort” due to the threat situation.
The French government recently announced that a relatively large number of virus variants had been discovered in the Moselle department in eastern France. Saarland Prime Minister Tobias Hans (CDU) did not rule out border controls in a government statement on Monday. However, you want to avoid measures that have not been agreed, such as 2020.
There are also criticisms of the German economy. The BDI industry association warns of the serious consequences of border closures. “There is a great danger that supply chains will be broken across Europe in the coming days,” CEO Joachim Lang tells the Funke media group newspapers. “The border crossings must remain open for all freight vehicles,” he demands. For this, “practical test options across Europe” should be available. It is useless “to require negative evidence at the entry of personnel working in the transport and goods traffic sector without guaranteeing adequate testing infrastructure at the borders.”
Contrary to fears, automakers Audi, BMW and Volkswagen reported no major problems with border controls on Monday. All plants were producing according to plan, according to BMW. However, this could only be a snapshot. A VW spokesperson reported that “there are no restrictions.” The Automotive Industry Association (VDA) warned Sunday of immediate plant closures due to bottlenecks in deliveries.
Although this was not the case initially, the VDA did not give the go-ahead. The association announced that the situation at the borders “was already very difficult.” “The necessary controls have an impact on the transport logistics of many companies throughout Germany.” The VDA required that medically certified testing be dispensed with and that truck drivers be allowed to perform self-rapid tests.
