German Police Chief Accuses Airlines of Breaking Coronavirus Rules

Jan. 31—BERLIN — Germany's federal police chief has accused airlines of failing to stick to coronavirus containment rules in comments published on Sunday.

"In the last six days alone, the federal police have identified around 600 violations by aviation companies," Dieter Romann told German newspaper Bild am Sonntag.

Passengers from regions with high coronavirus levels or where mutations have been identified have entered Germany without a digital registration or without showing a current negative coronavirus test result, despite rules that airlines must check for these before take-off, he said.

"It is irresponsible," Romann said, adding that the lack of controls are also a reason for the entry bans in place.

"Airlines are now threatened with fines from health authorities of up to 25,000 euros [about 30,000 dollars] per violation and passenger," he said.

Since Saturday, Germany has banned entry from countries where virus variants that appear more contagious are spreading.

The list includes Britain, Ireland, Portugal, South Africa and Brazil. From Sunday, the African nations of Lesotho and Eswatini will be added.

Airlines, railways, buses and shipping companies are banned from transporting passengers from those areas until February 17.

Exceptions apply for Germans and foreigners who live in Germany as well as for transit passengers and the transport of goods.

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