Although France is once again in lockdown, Luxembourg businesses are for the most part allowed to trade as usual, albeit with a curfew. Fuel and cigarettes have always been among the Grand Duchy’s most prized commodities for its neighbouring countries, and for residents in Moselle and Meurthe-et-Moselle in France, the temptation to cross the border in spite of confinement is great. But, is this allowed under lockdown rules?
Effectively, no - although there are exceptions. French rules are clear - it is forbidden to shop for essential items outside the region you live in, with a €135 penalty for those venturing further afield. If you are in need of supplies, you should shop at essential stores close to home. There is no limit on distance as such, allowing residents to select different supermarkets if their local store is too expensive or insufficiently stocked - but a Nancy resident who opts to shop in Thionville, for example, risks being fined. Under these rules, nipping over the border to stock up on cigarettes or to fill up with fuel is therefore not allowed.
Of course, there are special cases: the borders between the countries in the EU have remained open, so residents living close to the Luxembourgish border would be permitted to purchase essential items in Luxembourg, or to fill up their car. Stores selling tobacco products are still authorised to open in France under lockdown rules, and Luxembourg is the same. However, residents must always travel with a certificate.
Christophe Arend, LREM MP for Moselle, said it was also possible for residents to travel to Germany for essential purposes, as long as they followed German guidelines. He advised against travelling for non-essential purchases, such as shopping or browsing, but urged residents to act with a sense of individual responsibility.
Cross-border workers living in France but working in Luxembourg are also allowed to travel from their home to Luxembourg, as long as they have a professional certificate confirming their employment and reason for travel. Once in the Grand Duchy, purchases are possible since the country’s health rules apply.
