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German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer harshly rejects the EU’s criticism of the strict restrictions announced at the border and blames the European Commission for the way it has managed the supply of vaccines. However, criticism of these restrictions, which will take effect on Sunday, come from Germany, and police allege the lack of necessary equipment and personnel at the border.
The German government has announced travel restrictions for people from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Austrian region of Tyrol in the context of the emergence of new variants of coronavirus.
The European Commission asked Germany on Friday to reconsider the strict restrictions imposed on the border in the context of the pandemic, recalling that the countries of the European Union have agreed to avoid the closure of borders. However, the European Commission reminds Germany that EU member states have decided to avoid closing borders in the future.
“Enough is enough! In recent months, the European Commission has made quite a few mistakes in the supply of vaccines. The European Commission must support us, not hinder us with cheap recommendations.”German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said on Saturday, according to Bild and Tagesschau.de.
In this context, a spokesman for the European Commission said he expects all countries, including Germany, to implement mutually agreed travel measures. Border closures and general travel bans should be avoided, the spokesperson said, urging Germany to reconsider measures and apply exceptions, mainly for people who cross borders for business on a daily basis.
According to official figures, some 45,000 people in the Czech Republic and Austria work in Germany and are affected by the new restrictions.
Uprising in Tirol
The announced restrictions have sparked unrest in Tyrol, making it impossible for thousands of citizens from the region to travel to work in Germany, Governor Günther Platter said.
“This would mean that cross-border work and economic activity in the border regions would almost come to a halt, which could not benefit Germany either,” he criticized.
Strict new rules and border controls
As of Sunday, only Germans, foreigners with a residence permit, seasonal agricultural workers and health workers will be able to enter Austria from the Czech Republic and Tyrol. To enforce the ban, federal police are preparing for strict border controls. As the Federal Ministry of the Interior explained on Friday, spouses, minor children and parents of minor children can enter the country, but only if they cross the border with a German relative.
Truck drivers and other employees involved in the transportation of goods are also exempt from the ban.
Entry will also be allowed for urgent humanitarian reasons, for example in the event of death. The testing and quarantine regulations also apply in exceptional cases.
The regulations apply to those who come from the Czech Republic and Tyrol. East Tyrol, which belongs to the federal state of Tyrol but is not directly linked to it, is not affected. Exceptions also apply to the Tyrolean community of Jungholz and the Riss Valley, which can only be reached from Germany.
Police report lack of equipment and personnel
Meanwhile, the police union criticized the lack of conditions to face the new measures. The police complain that they do not have enough offices and shops to carry out medical checks. Nor are there enough staff for these controls, they say.
At the same time, the police claim that There is a risk that those familiar with the area will avoid controls in certain areas., which would require new emergency services. They are also taken into account certain riots that could break out at the border, which would also require additional police forces.
Politicians Believe Border Measures Are Right
Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder considers border controls with the Czech Republic and Tyrol to be essential. In a pandemic, safety must come first, he said in a public statement. He announced that practical solutions will be found for travelers.
Tobias Hans, Prime Minister of Saarland, did not rule out new measures and controls at the borders with France or Luxembourg either. “If there are strong differences in the incidence of infection, then we will have no other option,” he said.
The German government has also classified Slovakia as an area where the virus has undergone particularly dangerous viral mutations. Therefore, airlines, as well as road and rail transport, can no longer transport passengers from Slovakia to Germany. The exceptions are German citizens and foreigners living in Germany.
Publisher: Georgiana Marina
