Political parties in Germany suggest government remove travel warning for Turkey
Turkey has lifted its travel ban on Germany after the epidemic is supposed to be under control. However, Germany has not changed its travel warning to Turkey and health officials from its coalition partner, the CDU and the SPD have extended support for Turkey.
The two parties have suggested that Turkey should not be wronged adding, “We have no right to ask for more than any other holiday country. Coming from Turkey, travelers can have tests after arriving. So the travel alert can be lifted”. The same formula is expected to be applied to Spain’s tourism haven, Mallorca. In other words, a formula for lifting the travel warning to Turkey is being sought.
Turkey, meanwhile, has lifted its travel warning to Germany. This means that those travelling from Germany to Turkey will not be quarantined or forced to undergo testing.
The Robert Koch Institute and German Health Minister Jens Spahn who held a press conference yesterday, pointed out the danger of people loosening the measures, especially in holiday areas. In the conference it was stated that the danger of the second wave was a reality and attention should be paid”. Chancellor Merkel called for states to prepare to “ban entry and exit” from other places and not only those where epidemic was spotted.
Meanwhile, a formula is being sought with EU member states for the travel warning lifted for 14 countries to be lifted for Turkey as well. There was no decision from yesterday’s meeting to remove, renew or replace the travel warnings, however. The opinion is that this should be decided by the government and approved by the EU.
On the other hand, the government partner The Christian Democratic Party (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) are reported to have proposed specific solutions for Turkey. If these solutions are not accepted and the travel warning is not lifted, anyone coming from Turkey has to give the result of a test they have within 48 hours. Otherwise, said person will have to stay in quarantine for 14 days.
Karl Lauterbach, the SPD’s health official, called for anyone returning from Mallorca to be tested for the corona virus. He said, “Anyone who comes or returns from Turkey should leave their passport information at the airport, suggesting the same thing for Turkey.
And then, as soon as this person arrives, he/she should take a test and report the result. If the result is positive, the authorities will take action. Thus, a solution similar to Mallorca can be developed for Turkey and this way the travel warning will be lifted”.
