Saturday 30th January 2021
"Would be downright foolish"
Seehofer appeals to stop traveling
Far-reaching entry bans have been in effect since today for travelers from countries in which the known coronavirus mutations are particularly prevalent. Interior Minister Seehofer defends the measure as "absolutely necessary". Criticism comes from the opposition.
Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer has called for people to stop traveling abroad. "At the moment I can only urgently appeal to the population to absolutely refrain from any non-essential trip abroad," said Seehofer of the "Augsburger Allgemeine". "I even see it as a civic duty in these difficult times," he added. "To travel to mutation areas now without a really compelling reason, I have to say that clearly, would be downright foolish."
The minister did not rule out travel bans for the future. "The constitutional requirements for a general travel ban are very high," said Seehofer. "For now, we are focusing on entries from countries with virus mutations," he added. "It's about the defense against highly infectious, mutated viruses."
In this context, Seehofer defended the entry bans for citizens of several countries in which particularly contagious variants of the corona virus are widespread. "The transport ban is a drastic measure, but it is absolutely necessary to protect our population," said the CSU politician. The Federal Minister of the Interior criticized the fact that there was no uniform regulation in the EU. "That is a shame. We should actually solve the big questions within the framework of the EU for everyone."
FDP parliamentary group deputy Alexander Graf Lambsdorff criticized the entry bans imposed by the federal government. "The spread of the new Corona mutants must be slowed down, but blanket entry bans are not the way to go," said Lambsdorff of the "Rheinische Post". Mutation areas would have to be identified and clearly named. "Then the entry from there must be reduced so that all travelers can still be tested at the airport," said Lambsdorff.
German going it alone would be "counterproductive"
In the opinion of the FDP politician, tests before departure would be even more useful. "The fact that none of this has yet been ensured despite numerous announcements must be blamed on the federal government." It is also important to discuss the measures to combat the corona pandemic with the partners in the EU, "because if Germany were to go it alone again, that would be counterproductive," said Lambsdorff.
Due to concerns about the dangers of mutated coronavirus variants, extensive entry bans to Germany from countries in which these variants are widespread have been in effect since today. After a cabinet decision on Friday, there is a general ban on airlines, rail, bus and shipping companies traveling from these countries until February 17. Initially, travelers from Great Britain, Ireland, Portugal, Brazil and South Africa are affected. There are exceptions for people who live in Germany. The ban is also not intended to apply to transit passengers at airports or freight traffic.
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