An apparatus for the sterilization of containers with a conveying device which conveys the containers along a pre-determined conveying path (P), with a sterilization device which acts upon at least one area of the containers with charge carriers in the course of the sterilization, with a screening apparatus for screening off beams from the environment, which has at least two screening bodies which are arranged with respect to each other in such a way that one screening body is situated on the side of the screening apparatus facing the conveying path (P) and one screening body is situated on the one facing away from it, wherein the screening bodies are thermally insulated from each other.