Long queues at the border checkpoints in Wasserbillig and Grevenmacher persist. German officials have been abundantly clear: only those with a compelling reason may cross the border into Luxembourg. And yet, many are disregarding the regulations, much to the lament of mayors on both sides of the border.
Schengen mayor Michel Gloden explained that it is difficult for individual municipalities to trigger change on the broader political level. "But I am convinced that in these times we simply have to say: we have solidarity with our neighbours," Gloden said.
The mayor added: "We understand that there is a problem. And yet it is crucially important now that we make it clear that we will move closer together in the future." Gloden stressed that border closures should under no circumstances become a reality in the post-coronavirus Schengen area.
The Robert Koch institute defined Luxembourg as a risk zone. The border closures are hoped to break infection chains. Individual border checkpoints are nevertheless being lifted already, as it was the case with Remich's checkpoint last Friday.
The border closures remain a taboo topic for many cross-border workers and residents of municipalities on both sides of the border. The times are particularly challenging for smaller businesses located in the border area. Gloden explained that the region can only thrive through tourism and viticulture in the Moselle region. Most restaurants on the German side are also closed. Many events that usually take place around this time of the year had to be cancelled, the Schengen mayor lamented.
Fuel tourism has also ended due to the ongoing restriction, taking a considerable toll on smaller businesses. Restaurants in Schengen nevertheless said that cross-border food deliveries are still possible and customers have been placing more orders since the Remich checkpoint reopened.
Other checkpoints are expected to remain in place until 4 May at the earliest. Municipalities in the border area are determined to exhibit European solidarity until then. They fly the European flag each Tuesday - a silently metaphorical protest against border closures.
