Germany says it will switch to selective checks on the border with Austria, Switzerland, and France on Saturday.
The country’s Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said this on Wednesday.
“The control will be relaxed at all areas on the border with France, Switzerland and Austria on May 16.
“All checkpoints will be opened; the number of open checkpoints was reduced in the last few weeks to ensure control.
“The control will be selective rather than systematic. This is important; this is what the current situation with the pandemic allows us to do, to be able to do selective checks,” Seehofer said.
Germany expects the freedom of movement to be fully restored on June 15 “if people continue to be disciplined, use protective masks and keep up distancing,” Seehofer added.
“The travel warnings, can, undoubtedly, be lifted for Europe earlier than for other touristic destinations — under the condition that the current positive trend continues in many countries.
“The freedom of travel is part of the European project. But at the time of the coronavirus, Europe must provide even more guarantees for the freedom to travel safely,” Seehofer said.
According to the German interior minister, the consultations on lifting travel restrictions have already begun in Brussels.
Seehofer added that he was planning to discuss the situation with his colleagues from other countries in the coming days to “better coordinate the approach in Europe even if the situation is different depending on a country.”
