April 13, 2020

Anna Murray 

As COVID-19 pandemic spread out across Europe, Germany had imposed tough border restrictions on French visitors since March 16. The Germany border only allows goods deliveries and cross-border commuters to come to Germany. According to the official report, there was more than 2,000 death caused by the COVID-19 in the German border town, Grand Est. Some local residents in the German border show strong hostility to visitors from France.

There were reported incidents in which French tourists had been insulted and had eggs thrown at them in Grand Est of Saarland. In Gersheim, some French travelers were reportedly insulted or stopped on the street, some were spat while walking or queueing in the supermarket.

Top officials such as German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas, Economy Minister in Saarland, Anke Rehlinger, and the mayor of the Gersheim, Michael Clivot, all spoke out and condemned the aggression of local German residents to French travelers. Heiko Maas persuaded on April 11 by saying "Corona knows no nationality.”

Photo:Webshot.