The German Fruit Trade Association has warned that the current requirement for some truckers to present negative coronavirus tests at the border will result in empty supermarket shelves.
According to the rules, drivers who spend less than 72 hours in a “High Risk” country or countries in the 10 days before entering Germany have to register their border entry using the electronic entry registration system (DEA).
If the number of hours is over 72, a negative coronavirus test no more than 48-hours-old must be presented at the border.
The Czech Republic officially became a “High Risk” country last week, as we reported here on our website.
However, the main concern of the German Fruit Trade Association is the inclusion of Spain and Portugal on the list. That’s because of the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables that Germany imports from both of these countries, particularly during the winter.
Brügger also explained that a number of organisations had warned the German Government about the problems additional border checks would create. However, their multiple appeals have not led to a change in policy.
The Fruit Trade Organisation boss has nonetheless continued to urge the government to change tack, warning that “there is a risk of empty retail shelves” if green lanes are not created to allow for the fluid transport of fresh goods.
Photo credit: Martin Shaw / Wikimedia Commons (photo for illustrative purposes only)
