The countries of the European Union continue to gradually ease quarantine restrictions caused by the global spread of coronavirus infection. Most European countries have recognized that the peak incidence has already passed. As a result, people begin to return to normal life.
The German and Austrian authorities announced their intention to open the border as early as June 15th. This was reported by the Deutsche Welle portal with reference to the statement of the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. The corresponding plan for opening the borders was presented on Tuesday, May 12, by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
As early as Wednesday, Austria and Germany have opened small border crossings in the area between German Bavaria and Upper Austria. Residents of border regions can once again cross the border between the two states in both directions without hindrance. We are talking about both domestic tourism and business trips or cases when it is necessary to visit relatives or friends living in a neighboring country.
It is expected that on June 15, free passage will be opened through the border outposts in the Austrian regions of Tyrol and Salzburg. Similar actions have already been sanctioned at the governmental level by politicians of both countries. At the same time, it is separately noted that this decision can be revised if the epidemiological situation worsens in at least one of the border regions of both Germany and Austria.
Austria introduced sanitary and border controls at the state's borders back in March 2021 as a measure to counter the spread of coronavirus. The local Bundestag publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the state's leaving the borders open for too long, which negatively affected the health of Austrian citizens.
Currently, everyone who comes to Austria is ordered to undergo a two-week observation. Alternatively, you can present a medical certificate confirming that you have passed a coronavirus test and tested negative. Moreover, such a document must be received at least four days before crossing the Austrian border. Otherwise, representatives of the border service are authorized to refuse entry to persons who do not have the appropriate certificate or do not want to go on voluntary self-isolation. It is expected that these measures will be canceled as early as June 15th. True, for now this will only apply to citizens arriving from Germany.
