Peter Schijns in Landgraaf no longer has a recovery certificate in his corona pass and thus loses a piece of his German living environment just across the border. At least that’s what he thought.
Peter is not the only one who is confused by the corona rules just across the border. Many residents from the border region feel cornered by the German 2G+ policy that has been in effect for several weeks.
Rejected at the door
Restaurants, catering, shops, museums and in many cases also hotels in Germany require a completed vaccination or recovery certificate. Plus a little test here and there. You won’t get anywhere without it.
This became apparent when Peter wanted to have a bite to eat in Germany just after the new policy was announced. In a restaurant in Übach-Palenberg, five kilometers from his hometown, he was politely but firmly refused. He also did not enter another eatery in that place. “I entered into a dispute at the door twice. But I didn’t come in. I understand. The fines are very high for the owners, I don’t want to do that to them.”
Infection
Schijns has adhered neatly to all the rules. He just had some bad luck. “I became infected with the coronavirus in April. I was ‘lucky’ to have sufficient protection with one shot. So the usual second shot was not taken. I did get a booster shot on December 31.”
But then it doesn’t really help if the recovery certificate has expired in the meantime, as with Peter. Germany has shortened the validity of recovery from 6 months to 30 days.
Fully vaccinated
Every German federal state has its own rules. Such as North Rhine-Westphalia, which borders Limburg. There they consider a vaccination only completed with two shots. If both vaccinations are a bit further in the past, a recent booster shot or a negative test or proof of recovery is required. The person with a Janssen vaccine also has to put in more than one to get the stamp ‘fully vaccinated’. Who doesn’t get lost here? “Shoot me,” laughs Peter.
Too harsh
Just to be sure, a few weeks later on Thursday evening, he goes back to the same restaurant that previously refused him. To his surprise, the boss now lets Peter in. Filling in a question-answer form is sufficient. Together with a photo showing his old recovery certificate. “The restaurant owner confessed that he may have been a bit too strict. He didn’t know exactly how 2G+ works in the beginning either. Why is it more flexible now? Just look at all those yellow license plates in front of his door. That man is right to think so. to his patronage.”
Solution
Peter has no guarantee that he will enter Germany just as easily next time. He continues to look for a solution that lasts longer. A call to the GGD did not yield much this week. Getting a negative test to get in would be an option? “I don’t see that after those vaccinations,” says Schijns.
Everyday business
He sees that the living environment for many inhabitants of the border region is becoming a lot smaller. “I often go to Germany and Belgium from Landgraaf. It often involves everyday activities in a familiar environment. Refueling, shopping, eating a snack, it is part of your life. That is suddenly much more difficult.”
Perhaps the German 2G+ policy will only catch your eye once people start skiing from the Randstad, Schijns suggests. “Then many holidaymakers run into the same problems that we now experience every day. The corona rules change constantly and are sometimes impossible to follow. It is twice as difficult for people in the border region. We practically live in two countries, each with their own approach. Why, one Europe?”
2G Policy
That last comment was underlined in The Hague on Thursday afternoon. There, a majority of the House of Representatives turned against the cabinet’s 2G bill. It would have too little effect at this time of the corona pandemic. A view that countries such as Austria, Germany and France do not share. There, corona passes are necessary to fully participate in public life.
The GGD region of South Limburg has announced that it will come up with a response. “We are aware of Germany’s strict access policy, but we have to find out whether there is an immediate solution,” said a spokesperson.