Stuttgart (dpa) - In order to contain the corona virus, Baden-Württemberg's Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU) continues to insist on increased surveillance of the border with France.
In a letter to Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU), which is available to the German Press Agency, Strobl "urgently" requests the introduction of so-called notified border controls according to the Schengen Borders Code. In principle, border traffic within the European Union is not controlled, but the states can deviate from it in special situations.
"I am aware that such a measure is a difficult decision in a united Europe," Strobl wrote on Saturday. Baden-Württemberg in particular has close ties to its neighbor. "However, the further spread of the corona virus makes it necessary for us to control this connection more closely, at least temporarily, in order to reduce the risk of further infections for people in the border area."
The French region Grand-Est, which borders Baden-Württemberg, has been classified as a risk area by the Robert Koch Institute.
Strobl had previously contacted Seehofer with his request. According to Strobl, the federal and state police have already intensified their activities in the border region - but still below the threshold of real border controls.
