Germany will move to classify France as a coronavirus high-risk region, Chancellor Angela Merkel indicated on Thursday. The move will impose tighter restrictions on those travelling between the two countries. 

Germany upgrades France to coronavirus high-incidence region

The German federal government is apparently making arrangements to declare the whole of France a high-incidence risk area - meaning that anyone wishing to cross the border would have to present a negative coronavirus test no more than 48 hours old and quarantine for 10 days after arriving in Germany. An exception will be made for cross-border commuters, who will only have to get themselves tested twice a week.

Up until now, only the French border region of Moselle has been classified as a high-risk zone by German authorities, but the whole country is now struggling to grapple with a third wave of coronavirus that has seen infection rates skyrocket in recent weeks.

The nationwide seven-day incidence rate per 100.000 inhabitants has recently risen to 345, while in Île-de-France, the region covering the capital city of Paris, it has surpassed 600. 

Angela Merkel hints that border controls will be avoided

Chancellor Angela Merkel said during a press conference following an EU summit on Thursday that such a classification occurs “almost automatically” when a country’s seven-day incidence rate rises significantly. 

“It is not related here to a political decision but when we see the evolution of the incidence rate - as is the case here - exceed the threshold of 200 for a long time, that requires the classification as a zone of high risk,” she said. 

However, Merkel hinted that France might enjoy special treatment to avoid extra border controls, and that cross-border public transport should continue to operate. “There is a whole specific test procedure… That is in discussion with France,” she said. Clement Beaune, France’s secretary of state for European Affairs is reportedly “negotiating the easing of terms… to avoid the border being closed.” 

The decision is expected to be announced officially by the Robert Koch Institute on Friday.