Germany is no longer strictly controlling the border with the Czech Republic. However, drivers and travelers will still be picked at random to take a coronavirus test.
The change was recently announced by Horst Seehofer, the German Minister of the Interior. In the issued statement, he wrote that the number of new infections in the neighboring Czech Republic was falling sharply. Therefore, checks will no longer be carried out continuously, but on a random basis.
According to the minister, border control in the heart of Europe is only permissible when it is really necessary. It should be noted, however, that Germany’s earlier decisions on inspections caused great controversy in the transport industry.
Let us remind you that border controls were introduced by the German authorities in mid-February due to the difficult epidemiological situation in the Czech Republic and Austria. The introduced security measures caused serious difficulties for truck drivers, as has been widely reported.
The Czech Republic border is not only one Germany has loosened of late. Not long ago, the country suspended restrictions on the border with the Austrian federal state of Tyrol. However, the police still check randomly whether travelers and drivers entering the country have up-to-date COVID-19 test results.
Photo credit: Bundespolizei