Czech Republic Prolongs Air and Land Border Controls With Austria and Germany

The Czech Republic has decided to extend land border controls with Austria and Germany and air border controls which were set to expire on April 4, for another 20 days, as it estimates they are vital to combat the novel Coronavirus crisis.

“Temporary reintroduction of border control concerning the land borders with Germany and Austria and the air borders is extended until April 24, 2020, 23:59 with the possibility of further extension,” a statement published by the Czech Ministry of Interior reads, leaving open the possibility to prolong this period again by the end of its validity.

The government has decided not to introduce border controls with Poland and Slovakia, as both the latter have border controls in place at the common borders with the Czech Republic.

According to Interior Minister Jan Hamacek, the situation on these borders is regulated by the decisions of Poland and Slovakia, and there was no reason for the Czech Republic to respond in kind.

The Ministry has noted that the internal borders with Germany and Austria can only be crossed at designated crossing points without any time limit.

Other crossing points will be open from 5 am to 11 pm for road freight transport, as well as persons, who demonstrably cross internal borders on a regular basis, in particular cross-border / commune workers.

“The above-mentioned obligation does not apply to selected categories of persons for whom the restriction on crossing of internal borders would be disproportionate and in some cases would be contrary to the public interest. These include, for example, an integrated rescue system, people in the event of an unforeseen emergency, freight transport, etc.,” the notice of the Ministry reads.

The Ministry will inform EU members, the European Commission and partnership authorities of the neighbouring countries about the temporary renewal of the internal border protection.