The concerns of the RKI public health institute link to the random checks and compulsory tests at Germany’s border with France.

In a statement, the French foreign minister said the checks are needed because “the pandemic in Germany is exploding faster than they thought.”

Starting next Tuesday, those arriving at German airports will also need proof of a negative COVID test.

Officials in Germany are now fearing the third wave of COVID infections could be harder to curb than the first two. Currently, the German infection rate is rising by more than 20,000 people a day, and the country’s Health Minister, Jens Spahn warned: “If this continues unchecked we run the risk of our health system hitting breaking point in April.”

Germany is one of a few European countries where COVID infections this week have been rising fast. Poland has also seen a 35% increase in its infection rate, and health officials in both countries have said the UK variant is part of the cause.

France has also seen a worrying rise in cases, which has led to Germany classing it as a high-risk zone. This has caused the French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to say the German border checks will now be tougher than ever, as both countries are trying to restrict the spread of the virus.

Nineteen areas of France are currently under lockdown and more than 4,700 people are currently being treated in intensive care.

Europe started its vaccine drive slowly, partly because of delivery delays. On Saturday, France will start vaccinating people aged 70-75. In Germany, about 10% of adults have now had a first dose of the vaccine.

Germany’s health minister has said the country was in the final stages of a “pandemic marathon” but it will be some time before their goals are reached.

H/T: BBC News