In view of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the approaching holiday season, many German federal states have decided to ease restrictions on heavy goods vehicle traffic.
Last week we reported on the lifting of the traffic bans on all transport in the two German states; Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and North Rhine-Westphalia, until 18 January 2021.
Shortly afterwards, other regions decided to ease their restrictions. According to the latest information provided by the Federal Office for Goods Transport (BAG), Sunday and Christmas traffic restrictions have also been lifted in the following states:
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Baden-Württemberg (until 31 January 2021),
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Lower Saxony (until 31 January 2021),
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Hamburg (until 31 January 2021),
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Saxony-Anhalt (until 31 January 2021),
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Schleswig-Holstein (until 31 January 2021),
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Thuringia (until 31 January 2021).
Relaxation of bans on the transport of vaccines
Most of the federal states have also decided to relax the traffic bans on transporting coronavirus vaccines and providing vaccination centres with supplies.
This measure has been in force in Hessen since 8 December, and in Schleswig-Holstein and Rhineland-Palatinate since 11 December.
In the following days, the same will apply in other regions: Saxony-Anhalt, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, Hamburg, Berlin, Thuringia and Baden-Württemberg.
These relaxations are valid until 30 June 2021. According to BAG, the following transports are excluded from weekend and holiday traffic restrictions:
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transport of coronavirus vaccines,
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transport of cooling systems for the (temporary) storage of coronavirus vaccines,
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vaccination equipment or necessary medical instruments,
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the transport of other goods that are used directly to ensure the operation of COVID-19 vaccination centres,
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empty mileages associated with these transports.
At the same time, please note that in Bavaria, between 3 December and 3 January, there is a relaxation of the traffic bans on trucks carrying courier mail (up to 20 kg).
Photo credit: Usien / Wikimedia Commons