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Trier's Mayor Wolfram Leibe, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Trier head Dr. Jan Glockauer and Klaus Jensen, Honorary Consul of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg pen joint letter to federal administrations.
The classification of Luxembourg as a risk zone should be withdrawn as soon as possible, demand Mayor Leibe, IHK Chief Glockauer and Jensen.
The letter, sent on Tuesday to Health Minister Jens Spahn, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, outlines frustrations and contradictory information regarding the restrictions placed on Luxembourg and therefore the effects this has on the German people, business and economy.
This move echos that of Rheinland-Palatinate Mayor Malu Dreyer, last week.
Leibe, Glockauer and Jensen state in their letter:
"The measures taken in Germany, Rhineland-Palatinate and Luxembourg to contain the pandemic have been largely successful, albeit at the cost of a major stagnation in economic and social life. At the same time, however, the losses resulting from dormant trade relations and under-reported services add up to enormous amounts that cannot be compensated for by any state budget or support programme. Reduced working hours, the loss of jobs and insolvencies are increasing"
The prominent officials argue that, in this situation, it is essential to review any remaining restriction and consider its suitability, necessity and adequacy. "Every day counts. No single day on which the health situation allows us to return to economic normality must be lost."
This is particularly true of the importance regarding the regional economic accord between Germany and Luxembourg.
The letter points out that there is no longer any objective reason to prevent the free movement of persons, and, further, the free movement of services. Leibe, Glockauer and Jensen conclude: "We therefore urge you to immediately end the classification of Luxembourg as a risk area."
