Friday June 25th 2021
Even without a pandemic
Travel restrictions remain possible
The number of infections is falling, and if the virus variants do not reverse the development, the “epidemic situation” in Germany will probably expire in September. For the time being, however, the federal government will still be able to issue entry regulations – to the displeasure of most opposition parties.
Corona-related entry restrictions may continue to apply, even if the national pandemic expires. The Bundestag decided on a corresponding change to the Infection Protection Act late on Thursday evening. With the new regulation, the legislature creates the possibility of maintaining entry restrictions for countries more severely affected by the pandemic, even if the infection situation in Germany has eased further.
On March 25, 2020, the MPs had for the first time established an “epidemic situation”. Most recently, it was extended for a further three months, and it will expire at the end of September. In the national pandemic situation, the federal government has the right to issue ordinances directly without the consent of the Federal Council – for example on tests, vaccinations, occupational safety or entry. The regulation that has now been adopted is only about restrictions on entry from corona risk areas. They should be able to continue to apply even without the legal basis – up to a maximum of one year after the situation has been lifted.
The decision was rejected by the Left, FDP and AfD. Such a massive restriction of fundamental rights is unacceptable if there is no longer an epidemic situation. The fact that this regulation was appended to a reform of foundation law at short notice so that the amendment of the Infection Protection Act could be brought by the Bundestag in the last week of the session also caused outrage. The opposition factions criticized this as a disregard for parliament.
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