DVF warns of impending lockdown of supply chains

The German Transport Forum points out the problems for transport and traffic companies with the new Infection Protection Act. The new regulations regarding the 3G rule at the workplace and the 3G requirement in public transport will come into effect on November 24, 2021. For the mobility and logistics sector, the regulations are not practical in implementation.

Dr. Florian Eck, Managing Director of the DVF:

“The newly mandated 3G regulation for workplaces in the Infection Protection Act makes sense for stationary workplaces. In the mobile sector, however, a lockdown of supply chains is imminent. This becomes particularly problematic for cross-border deliveries. Often, personnel are vaccinated with vaccines not approved in Germany, and testing before delivery is not possible. The previously justified exemption of transport personnel from the testing requirement is thus effectively nullified. Operating sites and logistics centers cannot be accessed or entered, and the supply chains are paralyzed.”

“Pragmatic exceptions for transport personnel are now essential. Since March 2020, companies have successfully established sluice concepts and developed their own hygiene standards. This must be built upon. Analogous to the entry regulation, transport workers should be exempt from the testing requirement, provided that their stay at the respective workplace is only temporary and hygiene and protective measures are implemented. The sluice concepts generally also provide for separate toilets for external transport personnel. This solution is also jeopardized by the new law. Similarly, testing capacities at the borders must be expanded.”

Transport companies left alone

Due to the federal law, only vaccinated, recovered, and negatively tested individuals may be transported in public transport starting Wednesday. Eck stated: “The 3G requirement for passengers in buses and trains comes into effect without the federal government committing to actively support the measures. The transport companies are left alone with the new provisions of the Infection Protection Act. There are insufficient resources for the now necessary controls, as far as they are even possible in an open system. The federal government must take corrective action here, for example, by having the federal police take over control tasks in public transport. It also becomes clear that, in light of the ongoing fourth wave, an expansion of the rescue umbrella beyond 2022 will be necessary.”

Act quickly and pragmatically

“It is now the task of the acting federal government, particularly Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil and Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn, to act quickly and pragmatically together. Time is of the essence; the new rules will apply from November 24, 2021. If no exceptions are made, this time there will be no traffic jams at the borders, but at the gates of the logistics centers. In public transport, it is about involving the federal police in control concepts, and this must also be decided as soon as possible.”

Photo: © Loginfo24 / Image caption: Dr. Florian Eck, Managing Director of the DVF