Starting Tuesday, every German cross-border employee is required to present a certificate when crossing the border into Luxembourg.

Employers were advised to provide the document to all German residents, in the event that their presence at work was necessary.

The government scrambled to publish the certificates after German minister Horst Seehofer announced on Sunday that Germany would be closing its borders.

In the event that France joins Germany in shutting down borders, Luxembourg authorities have prepared a certificate for cross-border workers, which became available on Monday evening here https://gouvernement.lu/dam-assets/documents/actualites/2020/03-mars/certificat-frontaliers.pdf .

Currently, cross-border workers passing from Germany into Luxembourg must show the employer's certificate and either their identity card or a certificate of residence to border authorities.

However, a number of questions remain. Stefan Döhn, press spokesman for Trier police, said they expected there to be people who were not registered, such as Luxembourgers resident in Germany.

Döhn recommended that people register as soon as possible, but explained in some cases, a person might be permitted to cross the border if they could provide proof of residence.

Other exceptions would be made for patients requiring treatment in German hospitals, or family members living either side of the border who need to collect children.

RTL