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At first, it's just a scenario.

If other countries went “completely different paths” in fighting pandemics, the Chancellor said on Tuesday evening, Germany would have to be “ready to go to extremes”.

"Then we have to reintroduce border controls." She does not see that at the moment.

She doesn't want it either.

However, it is clear: "We cannot watch that the entry simply comes."

“The entry” - this means the introduction of the virus from neighboring countries.

This must be avoided, after all, Germany is currently struggling with tough restrictions from the vortex of the pandemic.

Against this background, it makes sense to control entries from abroad much more closely.

But with the brief announcement of possible new border controls, Angela Merkel (CDU) is touching a taboo.

When the borders were briefly checked again in the first phase of the pandemic, there was a hail of criticism - even today hardly any politician in the federal and state levels wants to go back there.

So is Merkel's announcement primarily a threat to put neighboring states under pressure?

Or will the borders for travelers really close again shortly?

"Comparable and synchronized measures"

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A meeting of European heads of state and government on Thursday speaks in favor of the former.

During the video conference, "all available instruments to contain the spread of the virus" are to be discussed.

The federal government is not only looking at the mutation of the virus with concern - but also at the high number of cases in neighboring countries.

In the Czech Republic, the incidence is now more than 700 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days - well above that in Germany.

"That is why people cannot just come to us and work," said Merkel.

A coordinated approach is needed, especially with the tests.

Anyone who works in nursing homes must already be tested.

"That has to be organized in other areas."

Border controls could therefore remain obsolete - if it is clear that the tests work at regular intervals.

Even today, travelers from areas particularly affected by Corona have to show a negative test result before entering the country.

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The Federal Ministry of the Interior is also initially pressing for agreements with neighboring states.

Germany will advertise at the European Council to take “comparable and synchronized measures” in the EU states, says a spokeswoman.

These relate to the detection of virus mutants and the overall reduction in the number of infections.

The aim is to "avoid further restrictions on entry".

In the summer, Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) spoke out against new border controls.

Because the disadvantages associated with the restrictions in spring are considered enormous.

When new border controls were introduced to some neighboring states in March, economic exchange fell significantly.

Commuters and traders could continue to pass.

But sometimes long traffic jams formed at the few border crossing points.

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According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, customs data showed "that exports via road traffic during border controls fell significantly".

There was also strong criticism from families who were torn apart by the new controls.

Binational couples reported that they could no longer see each other.

Fathers said they could no longer cross the border with their families.

Pupils who went to school in the neighboring state had to take long detours.

The neighborly relations also suffered: In some cases there was ugly hostility between Germans and French in the border area.

Federal police ready just in case

The border controls at the time were “necessary and useful”, says Baden-Württemberg Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU) WELT.

However, also "very painful".

In the border region, people lived in a shared culture and living space.

"You always have to keep this reality of life in mind before you take such drastic measures."

He therefore advocates doing everything “so that border closings can be avoided”.

For this he also relies on people's reason.

"I have no sympathy for crossing borders out of joke and frolic, perhaps for skiing."

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Domestic politicians in the Bundestag are also warning of new restrictions in the border area.

"Border controls are always an ultima ratio," says Union parliamentary group Vice Thorsten Frei (CDU).

It is therefore necessary to find a "coordinated European response" to the virus.

However, says Frei, controls cannot be ruled out.

"If it is not possible to contain the particularly contagious mutations, border controls would be the last resort we would have to resort to".

Otherwise, the only “alternative” would be to “permanently” extend the hard lockdown.

"The consequences for our economy would not be better."

In the SPD, too, border controls are no longer ruled out: “National snap-shots” should be avoided, says deputy parliamentary group vice-president Dirk Wiese.

Especially for cross-border economic areas and regional cooperation, "unilateral border closings" are the wrong way to go.

However, apparently not coordinated at European level: "If, however, in view of the situation in our neighboring countries, especially in the Czech Republic, the necessary controls to further contain the virus cannot be avoided, these must be coordinated in a targeted and transparent European manner."

In any case, the federal police would be ready.

There are no concrete preparations for new border controls, said a spokesman for the Federal Ministry of the Interior last week.

However, one is able to implement relevant decisions "quickly".

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