As the transport hub of Europe, Germany’s decision to begin opening its borders to neighbors and to travel from European Union travelers is hugely important. The country has been forcing anyone crossing into it to quarantine for two weeks until now, but now it will require this only from those arriving from countries badly impacted by coronavirus.
“We are very confident and satisfied that all our measures and our vast restrictions of the last weeks are successful,” said Stephan Mayer from the German Interior Ministry. “We are successful in our containment policy with regard to the pandemic.” It’s a risky move, but one that’s in line with the general mood in Europe, which is of both impatience to get moving again and fear of an impending economic disaster. Mayer admitted that the border restrictions had taken a horrendous toll on the country’s tourism sector, but insisted they had been seen as necessary in view of the devastation experienced in Italy. “Now it’s time to lower the sanctions. … We will now impose smart border controls.”
The border with Luxembourg opened on Saturday, while those with France and Austria will be first loosened and then potentially lifted on June 15. Denmark’s borders with Germany remain closed but talks are already underway between the two nations.
