Since the borders closed in March, Scandlines has continued to operate on its routes between Germany and Denmark to secure transportation of food, medicine and other important goods. Now the borders open again – and Scandlines continues to operate 24/7.
After 13 weeks during which the borders have only been open for transportation of goods or persons with a worthy purpose to cross the border, all borders between Germany and Denmark reopen on June 15 – and that of course includes the blue border, where Scandlines operates.
”We have operated throughout the lockdown, but naturally with much fewer passengers than normally. Now we look forward to welcoming all our passengers on board again,” says Scandlines’ CEO Søren Poulsgaard Jensen.
Scandlines’ shops on board and BorderShop Puttgarden will also open on June 15, whereas BorderShop Rostock has been open since June 2. It is of course possible to get something to eat and drink on board all ferries, where two out of three options are open.
”The customers’ safety is of utmost importance to us, and we follow the recommendations from the authorities to make sure everyone keeps social distance. Naturally, our focus is also on hygiene in all passenger and crew areas,” says Søren Poulsgaard Jensen.
On board our ferries and in our BorderShops posters remind customers to keep social distance. Hand disinfectant is available in all passenger areas and in toilet areas, where posters with instructions on correct hand wash are also found.
”Although we have been able to maintain part of our freight traffic, the lockdown will have a considerable impact on our bottom line. We expect that the remainder of 2020 will be affected by the crisis and therefore we work hard to alleviate the effect of keeping the operation running with much lower income for several months,” says Søren Poulsgaard Jensen. “But this will not affect our floating bridge between Scandinavia and the rest of Europe – we continue to operate.”