Kate Connolly in Berlin reports that the German government has just given more information about its surprise decision to close Germany’s borders with Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, France and Luxembourg.
Interior minister Horst Seehofer said in a press conference in Berlin, the main reason for doing so, from 8am on Monday morning, was to slow down the spread of the virus, which was proving to be “fast and aggressive”.
The decision was not, as had been widely reported earlier in the day, primarily due to fears that people were driving over the border into Germany and buying up large quantities of the provisions that have been in most demand, and which are cheaper in Germany than in neighbouring countries.
There has been concern that such behaviour was in danger of causing social unrest in Germany, as people fear they will be unable to access food and other essentials for daily life in the event of the virus escalating.
But today’s decision, taken after consultation with Angela Merkel, the chancellor, and the leaders of Germany’s Länder, and announced only after discussions with the leaders of the affected countries, marked an unexpected u-turn in German policy.
For days, the health minister Jens Spahn, and Merkel, have separately insisted on several occasions that Germany had no intention of closing its borders, believing to do so would have little impact on the spread of coronavirus.
Seehofer said “We implicitly ask all citizens to stop undertaking any journeys that are not absolutely necessary.”
He added: “The situation is very serious. We must and will react to it accordingly”.
Some 5,813 people have so far been confirmed with coronavirus, according to figures on Sunday evening.
The ninth and 10th deaths of people in Germany were announced on Sunday.
The new rules would be enforced by border police, Seehofer said. Where there were personnel shortages, border crossings would be closed, he said.
German citizens and those with residency permits for Germany, will still have the right to return to Germany, and commuters who criss cross the border for work, will also be able to continue to do so, he said.
