HGK Group Supports Criticism of New Corona Entry Regulation

The companies of the HGK Integrated Logistics Group support the criticism of several logistics associations regarding the new coronavirus entry regulation. The high requirements for border crossing, even for employees in the industry, could jeopardize supply security according to the HGK Group.

(Cologne) The regulation affects all types of transportation, including not only truck transport but also freight railways and inland shipping. “All measures that help to contain the further spread of the pandemic are useful. However, the decisions made must also be feasible and should not lead to further problems elsewhere,” says Steffen Bauer, CEO of HGK Shipping GmbH. He fears that there could be “bottlenecks in the supply of industry” if there are no practical exceptions, which he advocates: “Inland shipping has proven that it can responsibly handle special regulations.

 Intelligent Regulations with Common Sense

Our crews are able to minimize all risks due to the experiences of the past months.” The companies in the HGK sector Logistics and Intermodal are also concerned about the fundamental orientation of the decision. “There is no doubt that we must get the pandemic under control with sensible measures and consistency. For this, we need intelligent regulations with common sense,” explains neska Managing Director Jan Zeese. This includes ensuring high safety for entry and exit, but also fundamentally making this possible for the industry. Because: “Cross-border traffic is the foundation of our prosperity.”

 Concerns About Problems at HGK Rail Operations

 At HGK Rail Operations, significant problems are also feared. “In cross-border railway traffic, the new regulation sometimes leads to absurd consequences. If our train driver drives the train one kilometer to the transfer station in a neighboring country with high incidence rates, he automatically falls under all control and quarantine conditions, even though he has only been in a kind of transit zone and not in the country itself,” criticizes Wolfgang Birlin, Managing Director of the HGK subsidiary RheinCargo.

In light of these issues, the companies of the HGK Group are making an urgent appeal to political decision-makers to issue appropriate exceptions. There must continue to be the greatest possible protection against the pandemic, but the functioning supply of industry, trade, and ultimately the population must not be jeopardized.

 Photo: © HGK / Caption: Liquid Port Godorf

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