[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Germany has proposed strengthening border controls between European countries to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) variant. This is to restrict population movement between countries amid the rapid spread of the variant virus.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, "If each country implements different measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, border controls will have to be reinstated," AFP reported on the 19th (local time).
Germany is already discussing border controls with the Czech Republic and Luxembourg, where many essential industry workers commute to Germany.
Chancellor Merkel plans to discuss preventive measures including regular COVID-19 testing at the upcoming European Union (EU) summit on the 21st. She appears to have proposed border controls because she judged that if EU member states, where population movement is frequent, do not raise their level of response together, the effectiveness of quarantine measures will decline.
Earlier, in March last year, when COVID-19 infections rapidly increased, Germany restricted movement except for commuters and goods with neighboring European countries including France, Austria, and Switzerland.
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