As of Sunday, unvaccinated holiday returnees will probably have to be tested for Corona before entering Germany.
The corresponding resolution is due to be adopted today.
Berlin - According to Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn, the expansion of the entry test requirements planned from this Sunday is intended to prevent a stronger corona spread.
"All unvaccinated people entering Germany must be tested in the future - regardless of whether they come by plane, car or train," said the CDU politician on Friday.
"This way we reduce the risk of additional infections being introduced."
In general, traveling with a vaccination is easier: "Vaccinated people save testing and generally do not have to be in quarantine," said Spahn.
“The vaccination offer for everyone in summer is available.
We have enough vaccine. "
The new entry regulation agreed in the government is to be passed by the cabinet on Friday by circulation procedure and will come into force this Sunday.
From then on, all those entering the country from the age of 12 must be able to prove that they are not infected: with proof of a complete vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test result.
There is already a general obligation to test for flight passengers.
In addition, there should be only two instead of three categories for worldwide areas with higher infection risks: high-risk areas and areas in which new, worrying virus variants are circulating.
Scholz: It's about the health of the citizens
Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended the decision. “It's about protecting the health of the citizens of this country,” said the SPD candidate for chancellor in the ARD “Tagesthemen”. "We're all used to being tested, we've been doing that for a very, very long time," argued Scholz. Many would be tested on vacation anyway, for example because it is necessary for certain activities. "We have to avoid situations like last year happening again in autumn - vaccination helps us here, but so does testing."
In general, the evidence should be carried on entry and presented in the event of "random" checks by the authorities, as stated in the draft.
There are no plans to check all people entering the country directly at the border.
If you travel with a transport company such as an airline, the evidence should be presented on request before take-off - this has already been the case for air passengers.
In cross-border rail traffic, this should also be possible while driving.
Critical opinions on compulsory testing
The chairman of the Federal Police District of the Police Union (GdP), Andreas Roßkopf, warned in the newspapers of the Funke media group of enormous logistical efforts - especially in terms of personnel.
"We have more than 3,800 kilometers of land border. If we are supposed to check them regularly on a random basis, that can hardly be mastered." There are also many unanswered questions, for example when it comes to trains.
The chairman of the board of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Andreas Gassen, told the editorial network Germany: “Basically welcome as a measure, but unfortunately extremely short-term implementation.” He also hopes for a side effect: “Perhaps some who have not yet received the vaccine could be vaccinated let, also be brought to the vaccination. "
The German export industry warned against a test obligation for truck drivers in intra-European goods traffic. “Basically, the endeavors to contain the pandemic are understandable. National solo efforts are the wrong way, especially in freight transport, and would put additional stress on the already tense supply chains, "said the spokesman for the Federal Association of Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA), André Schwarz, of the" Rheinische Post "(Friday). "The mile and day-long traffic jams that we have already experienced are still vividly remembered."
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), corona infections, which probably happened while traveling, play an increasing role in the infection process in Germany. This is what the RKI wrote in its weekly status report submitted on Thursday evening. Spain, Turkey and the Netherlands were most frequently named as the likely infection countries in the four weeks considered from June 28 to July 25, followed by Croatia and Greece. However, the majority of corona transmissions continue to take place within Germany - we are talking of at least 81 percent. dpa
