In agreement with the minister-presidents of the federal states of Bavaria and Saxony, Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer has allowed additional exceptions for cross-border commuters to enter Germany despite the temporary re-introduction of checks at Germany’s borders. The exceptions apply to workers in system-critical sectors.

Federal Minister Seehofer said: "Protecting public health has the highest priority. The high rates of infection along our borders require a rigorous response. At the same time, we are aware that our border regions are interconnected in many different ways. Cross-border commuters employed in system-critical sectors should remain able to enter Germany. We are acting pragmatically wherever possible. The solution we have now found for cross-border traffic could serve as a model for fighting the pandemic in this area going forward."

The checks at the borders that were temporarily re-introduced starting 14 February 2021 include additional exceptions for employees who are essential for ensuring that enterprises continue to function (no. 2 of the Communication from the Commission: Guidelines concerning the exercise of the free movement of workers during COVID-19 outbreak (2020/C 102 I/03).

Persons to whom this exception applies must provide the following proof:

• until the end of 16 February 2021:

travellers must provide credible evidence that they are employed in an occupation mentioned in no. 2 of the Communication from the Commission: Guidelines concerning the exercise of the free movement of workers during COVID-19 outbreak (2020/C 102 I/03), for example by presenting an employment contract to the border officials when entering Germany, if requested;

•  starting 17 February 2021:

for workers employed at enterprises which the authorities of the federal states of Bavaria and Saxony have defined as critical in accordance with no. 2 of the Communication from the Commission: Guidelines concerning the exercise of the free movement of workers during COVID-19 outbreak (2020/C 102 I/03): the relevant authorities of the federal states of Bavaria and Saxony will issue these workers with official personalised certificates specifying the individual worker and the enterprise. These certificates are to be presented to the border officials when entering Germany, if requested.

The federal states of Bavaria and Saxony are responsible for determining which enterprises are considered critical as referred to in the Communication from the Commission and whose workers are thus exempt from the entry restrictions.

The Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community has instructed the Federal Police to enforce compliance with these rules at Germany’s borders with Austria and the Czech Republic. Travellers who do not meet the conditions listed above will be denied entry.

The rules on entry and quarantine specified in the ordinance adopted by the German Bundestag on 13 January 2021 (Coronavirus-Einreiseverordnung) remain in effect.