More than 800 soldiers from all over Germany have been deployed in Tyrol since Friday: they are checking the entry and exit regulations that were issued due to the occurrence of the South African corona mutation. It is not possible to leave Tyrol without a negative corona test.
“The soldiers carry out the checks precisely and firmly, but in a polite and friendly manner. Only if we implement the regulations together with the population will we be able to contain the virus and return to normal life soon,” explains Tyrolean military commander Brigadier Ingo Gstrein. The 794 male and 14 female soldiers checked more than10,500 vehicles and 16,000 people together with the police on the first weekend. The Austrian Armed Forces support the police in controlling and enforcing the existing regulations at the national border. Soldiers from Jäger Battalion 26, Pioneer Battalion 1 and Jäger Battalion 33 carry out checks at 22 border crossing points together with the police. A company of military police from Salzburg, Styria and Carinthia was assembled in Tyrol.
The expertise of the military police allows them to carry out independent checks at seven crossing points from Tyrol to Salzburg and Vorarlberg. It is currently not possible to leave Tyrol without a negative corona test. Additional testing facilities have been created at the checkpoints to Salzburg and Vorarlberg. 80 soldiers from Supply Regiment 1 in Styria are operating these mobile test buses at five points in Tyrol. By Sunday, more than 11,500 travelers had taken advantage of this offer. Two people tested positive. Police officers and soldiers also board trains to carry out checks. At the weekend, soldiers were involved in checking 29 trains. Following the tightening of entry regulations by Germany, international train services were suspended on Sunday. Checks are still being carried out on trains from or through Tyrol. Since the start of “contact tracing” in Tyrol, soldiers have been assigned to this task. Around 70 former conscripts who have extended their time in the armed forces for the duration of the operation are currently dedicated to this task.
