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Stuttgart / Berlin (dpa / lsw) - Baden-Württemberg's Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) does not rule out border controls like in the spring because of the danger posed by the mutants of the corona virus.

If the virus variants spread more and more in neighboring countries, "in extreme cases this can of course lead to border closings," said Kretschmann on Thursday in the state parliament in Stuttgart.

"We want to avoid them, of course," said the Green politician.

That remains the line, but that could change, especially because of the spread of the South African virus variant.

He agreed to consult with the Prime Ministers of Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, Malu Dreyer (SPD) and Tobias Hans (CDU) about the border with France.

At the first lockdown in spring, national border controls were introduced to prevent the virus from being imported from abroad as much as possible.

At that time there was bitter criticism of this measure because commuters, families and companies suffered from it.

According to dpa information, it is very likely that the federal government would follow a corresponding vote by the countries concerned if they should support inpatient controls at their borders.

The topic was recently discussed between the federal and state governments, especially with a view to the Czech Republic and possibly also Austria.

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For example, if the Czech Republic should soon be classified as a so-called virus variant area, this would be the first case in which a neighboring country would be affected by the transport ban applicable to these areas, which hardly allows exceptions.

This would also raise the question of how to deal with cross-border commuters who travel by car.

Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) had already declared that he thought the border with the Czech Republic and Austria could be closed.

"Should the Czech Republic not be able to extend its emergency measures, then it must be clear that the Czech Republic is a mutation area and then the border closure must also be an issue," said Söder on Wednesday evening in the ZDF "heute-journal".

This also applies to Austria.

"We are very insecure with Austria," said Söder.

The government in Vienna has imposed quarantine measures in the state of Tyrol, which is badly affected by the South African virus variant.

"In Tyrol, you hear, nobody cares," said Söder.

"I'm worried that there is a risk of a second Ischgl."

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210211-99-395639 / 2