Delta variant in Europe: cases are increasing in France and Germany criticizes the lack of rigor at the entry of travelers from risk areas

German Foreign Minister Helge Braun on Tuesday criticized the lack of stricter rules in other countries for the entry of travelers from risk areas due to the presence of transfers, while France reported that the Delta variant accounts for around 20% of coronavirus cases in the country.

During an interview on public television ZDF, Braun described as “Huge misunderstanding” claims German government doesn’t want tougher rules, and recalled that in the case of Germany, there is not much more margin.

“For areas at risk due to the presence of viral variants, we already have the strictest rules across Europe. I haven’t seen anyone ask for more than 14 days of quarantine. This is the strictest standard at European level. Our weak point is that other countries in Europe do not have one.“, He said.

In this way, it is always possible to enter variants via travelersAlso those who have to travel every day for professional reasons, “and that worries us a lot,” he added.

I remembered that today A mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers returning from Portugal and Russia has entered into force, even if they have the complete vaccination schedule, in force for several days for those from India and the United Kingdom.

In this sense, he stressed that the Interior Ministry has already shown its willingness to carry out random border checks with neighboring countries affected by the Delta variant, as was done last summer.

Braun indicated that the Delta variant represents in Germany around the 50% of new infections, so that anyone who has not had the opportunity to receive both doses of the vaccine “You have to take tests regularly”, at least twice a week, and even more if you come back from abroad

In the case of travelers, the Minister spoke in favor of step up health checks on arrival in Germany of people from risk areas and in favor of additional analyzes, “possibly mandatory”, to slow the progress of the Delta variant.

Cases with the Delta variant on the rise in France

Delta variant accounts for around 20% of COVID-19 cases in France and is fast becoming the dominant variant in the country, warned the Minister of Health on Tuesday, Olivier Véran.

This variant, originating in India, “did not increase the (overall) number of cases”, but it did he is “more contagious” and it is predictable that he will end up being the dominant oneVéran said in statements to the station France Info.

The Minister explained that, despite the expansion of this variant, the incidence rate “continues to decline” in the country, since it currently stands at 18.7 per 100,000 inhabitants in the past seven days, according to official data.

However, he asked “Humility and vigilance” because “it is a very contagious variant which recalls the importance of the challenge”.

France is accumulating 5.77 million cases of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic, although the hospital incidence continues to decline gradually as the vaccination campaign continues, and virtually half of the population has already received at least one dose of vaccination.

(With information from EFE)

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