Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) considers a 3G rule to protect against corona infections in long-distance trains to be a “possible and sensible measure” despite concerns from ministries.
Government spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Monday in Berlin.
He pointed out that the 3G rule in long-distance rail traffic in France had been in place since the beginning of August, and that Italy would do so from the beginning of September.
There the rule is not "impossible or uncontrollable".
Several federal ministries, on the other hand, have raised concerns about a 3G rule in long-distance trains.
Enforcement would be “practically not feasible”, according to a paper from the Ministry of Transport, Health and Interior
"Stop the increase in the number of cases"
Seibert said the number of cases in Germany increased significantly. “That means we have to think about what we can do to dampen or stop this increase.” A large proportion of people in Germany are vaccinated, but there are, for example, children up to 12 years of age for whom it is don't give a vaccine. “We have a responsibility, also and especially for them, to reduce the number of cases again.” With a view to the 3G rule in long-distance trains in France and Italy, he continued: “In this respect, the Chancellor continues to be of the opinion that 3G in long-distance trains and can be a possible and sensible measure on domestic flights. "
There are counter-arguments that this is the "character of a test order," said Seibert.
The federal government will be monitoring developments very closely in the near future.
Some federal states continue to have a very sharp increase in the number of cases.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Transport said there were also legal concerns about the introduction of the 3G rule on domestic flights.
In purely practical terms, however, the situation is different from that of long-distance trains.