Germany to lift border controls

Germany will lift border controls, which were imposed three months ago due to the coronavirus pandemic, on June 15, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer announced.

Controls along Germany's land borders with Switzerland, France, Austria, and Denmark will be lifted, Seehofer said on Wednesday, adding that the government would reconsider its plans if the COVID-19 situation worsens, reports Xinhua news agency.

From June 16, EU citizens and Swiss nationals can enter Germany again unhindered, without controls and without quarantine regulations, according to the federal government's decision.

The decision is with a few exceptions.

For example, controls for foreigners arriving by plane from Spain will not end until June 21.

Since mid-March, citizens and residents of other EU member states were only permitted to travel into Germany if they met specific requirements, such as travelling for work.

Quarantine orders will also largely be lifted, although each of Germany's 16 states can determine its own quarantine regulations.

( With inputs from IANS )