The easing in the Corona crisis is progressing. Germany will carefully loosen its borders. This affects, among other things, the crossings to Austria, Switzerland, Denmark and France.
Munich - It already had something of a journey into the past. In the wake of the corona pandemic, the European countries closed their external borders * . Country after country sealed itself off - to contain the rampant virus . In one fell swoop, hundreds of millions of EU citizens lost their favorite freedom of travel *. The neighboring countries were still closer, but suddenly so far away.
These measures * played their part in ensuring that numerous states - including Germany - quickly mastered the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The success of this strategy has positive consequences: The Federal Republic will gradually reopen the borders to its neighboring countries . Of course, this will not happen as abruptly as the closings in the second half of March. Coordination is the magic word here. After all, the borders were locked from both sides and the barriers were only ordered into the vertical in exceptional cases.
Border openings in the Corona crisis: plan with Switzerland, Austria and France is in place
Switzerland, Austria and France already have a concrete timetable . In agreement with all three countries, internal border controls will be extended until June 15 , but relief will have been made at all crossings to these neighboring countries from May 16 . That means: only random checks are carried out. And in close coordination between the respective nations.
"I liked it very much and it is entirely in line with the European spirit that four neighboring countries are fighting a dangerous virus together, " explains Interior Minister Horst Seehofer . There would be a good reason for entry, but there should be more exceptions for travel for personal or family reasons . The Ministry cites students or unmarried couples as an example. The same time frame also applies to the airside borders with Italy and Spain .
Pleased with the cooperation with numerous neighboring countries: Interior Minister Horst Seehofer announces easing at the borders.
© dpa / Hannibal Hanschke
Border openings in the corona crisis: everything depends on the number of infections
A prerequisite, of course, is always a positive development in the number of infections - but this affects all the easing that we are currently rewarded with. Seehofer emphasizes: "Four countries in the heart of Europe act in the same direction - the goal is to have free travel in Europe again by mid-June , if the infection situation allows it." praises, it is also clear: "We must also be ready to react to deteriorations."
And what is the situation like in the other six neighboring countries? Fundamentally different. The controls on the crossing to Luxembourg end as early as May 15 . From then on, the federal police will increasingly switch to “control and search measures in the 30-kilometer border area”. A solution for the border to Denmark is also being worked on. The Federal Government is open to the end of the controls, but Berlin and Copenhagen want to determine the time for this together. Before that, however, the Danes must find an agreement with their neighboring countries, Norway and Sweden .
Border openings in the Corona crisis: good reasons for a trip to the Netherlands or Belgium necessary
The road to the Netherlands is officially free, but travelers should be able to show a valid reason . In addition, a two-week quarantine * can be imposed on both arrival and later return . This applies to guests who are more than 30 kilometers away from the border.
In the case of Belgium , "crossings not absolutely necessary" are prohibited. For example, a valid entry reason is considered a job in the neighboring country, school or doctor visits there as well as urgent family matters. The border police is responsible for the decision in individual cases.
In the “ZDF” interview, Oliver Paasch, Prime Minister of the German-speaking community in Belgium, mentions the conditions the government has taken to open the border: “First, the epidemiological situation in the neighboring country must be comparable . Second, the neighboring country must agree to allow Belgians to enter the country . ”
Border openings in the Corona crisis: Poland and the Czech Republic only wave exceptional cases
Entry into Poland will only be possible in exceptional cases at least until June 12th . Only people with a special permit are waved through , for example for professional, school or student reasons. Commuters must have a negative corona test * every 14 days.
This also applies to the Czech Republic . The border crossing continues to open only in exceptional cases , for example for "cross-border commuters, employees in international freight transport, employees in critical infrastructures and integrated emergency services, and cross-border commuters in health care and social services".
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis does not want to rush anything. He told the online edition of the newspaper Blesk on Wednesday that the situation regarding the corona pandemic was “not ideal” in Germany and especially in Bavaria . The founder of the populist party ANO prefers a mutual border opening within the so-called Austerlitz format, which includes the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria - but not Germany. Babis mentioned June 8th or 15th as possible times .
To the dismay of some commuters, it only opens in exceptional cases: Polish citizens demonstrate at the border crossing.
© dpa / Stefan Sauer
* merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
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List of rubric lists: © dpa / Oliver Dietze