Germany relaxes restrictions on seasonal workers

The German government eased entry restrictions for seasonal farm workers that were first introduced to help stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Seasonal workers from the European Union and the passport-free Schengen zone will once again be allowed to freely enter Germany by land or air to help harvest crops, agriculture minister Julia Kloeckner announced.

"Until the end of the year, farmers can employ additional seasonal workers from abroad," Kloeckner said, warning however that they would have to follow strict hygiene rules.

"This is the only way to work responsibly in times of a pandemic. It's in all our interests that farmers can keep harvesting and sowing," she added.

Farmers even chartered special flights to fly in Romanian workers amid fears that strawberry and asparagus harvests could go to waste because of a shortage of labour.

Under the new guidelines, which come as Germany's coronavirus outbreak is deemed to be under control, harvest workers have to keep at least 1.5 metres distance from each other and work in small teams.

If anyone falls ill with Covid-19, their team is to be isolated immediately and employers must notify the local health authorities. - Nampa/AFP