Coronavirus

We strive to communicate the Corona case figures for Jena in a timely and transparent manner. We would like to provide you with the following information on the interpretation of the statistics:

Early Warning System

With the introduction of the new early warning system on 23.08.2021, the local hospitalisation rate and the Thuringia-wide utilisation of intensive care beds will in future be taken into account as additional indicators in the event of rising infection figures, in addition to the seven-day incidence.

Leading indicator: Seven-day incidence rate

The leading indicator for taking measures in the case of an increasing incidence of infection in a district or an independent city remains the seven-day incidence per 100,000 inhabitants, i.e. the number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in the last seven days.

Additional indicators: protection and burden value

The following are used as additional supplementary indicators:

• Protection value (seven-day hospitalization incidence): the weekly incidence of hospitalized cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the county or in the independent city. The protective value is based - according to the presentation by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) - on the reporting date of the hospitalisation and includes hospitalisations both "because of" and "with" COVID-19. The hospitalisations are reported according to the place of residence of the ill person.
• Burden value: The percentage of COVID-19 cases treated with intensive care in the total number of operable intensive care beds in all of Thuringia.

Counting method for relaxations / intensifications

• If the leading indicator and at least one of the two additional indicators exceed the respective maximum value of the current base or warning level on three consecutive days , the higher warning level is decisive. A change of the additional indicator within the three consecutive days, which exceeds the respective maximum value of the current base or warning level in addition to the leading indicator, is irrelevant; i.e. the day is to be counted in the consideration.
• If the leading indicator falls belowthe respective minimum value of the current warning levels on seven consecutive days, the lower warning level (or the base level after warning level 1) is decisive. Any higher warning level of the additional indicators in the period under review is irrelevant.

Warning levels at a glance (according to the Early Warning System of the State of Thuringia)

Basic level

• Leading indicator: below 35.0
• Protection value: below 4.0
• Exposure value: below 3.0

Warning level 1

• Leading indicator: from 35.0 to 99.9
• Protection value: from 4.0 to 6.9
• Exposure value: from 3.0% to 5.9%.

Warning level 2

• Leading indicator: from 100.0 to 200.0
• Protection value: from 7.0 to 12.0
• Exposure value: from 6.0% to 12.0%.

Warning level 3

• Leading indicator: above 200.0
• Protection value: above 12.0
• Exposure value: above 12.0

Reporting quarantine figures

Numbers are collected and communicated once a week.

Reporting of tested persons

Unfortunately, transparent tracking of all testing in Jena is not possible, so we have decided not to communicate this figure to avoid misunderstandings. We can collect the tests that we perform in the health department. But there is no possibility to get a holistic record of all tests carried out at laboratories, university hospitals or doctors. For this reason, we ask for your understanding that we do not publish test figures.

Current cases

Development of the diseases

Many thanks to Michael Böhme for the visualizations. The data can be found in our OpenData portal.

The contact restrictions will be recommendations in the future.

Thuringia has established a new early warning system. This provides for three new warning levels after the basic level (in which we currently find ourselves), which are determined by three indicators:

Leading indicator

Seven-day incidence in a county or independent city

Protection level

Seven-day hospitalisation incidence, which measures the number of new inpatient admissions recorded after the reporting date for patients with COVID-19 within a seven-day period in relation to 100,000 inhabitants in a county or an independent city.

Load value

Utilization of intensive care beds, which indicates the percentage of intensively treated COVID-19 patients in relation to the total number of operable intensive care beds in Thuringia.

Warning levels

Warning level 1

a) the leading indicator has a value of 35.0 to 99.9 and
b) the protection value is at least 4.0 or the burden value is at least 3.0 percent,

Warning level 2

a) the leading indicator has a value of 100.0 to 200.0; and
(b) the protective value is at least 7.0 per cent or the loading value is at least 6.0 per cent,

Warning level 3

a) the leading indicator has a value of at least 200.1, and
b) the protection value is at least 12.1 percent or the load value is at least 12.1 percent.

The state of Thuringia has produced an infographic on this subject.

Exceeding

If the leading indicator and additionally at least one of the two additional indicators exceed the respective threshold value of a higher warning level on three consecutive days, this warning level is decisive. The relevant measures of the Thuringian Corona Containment Decree for this warning level are to be examined and taken by the district or the independent city.

Undercutting

If the leading indicator and at least one of the two additional indicators fall below the respective threshold value of a lower warning level on seven consecutive days, this warning level is decisive. The administrative district or the city may provide for corresponding relaxations.

Larger non-public or private celebrations (wedding parties, graduation balls, birthdays, club meetings, etc.) are possible again. If more than 70 people attend in the open air and more than 30 people attend indoors, notification must be made to the local authority (five working days in advance). If possible, the contact details of all participants should be recorded using browser-based web applications or apps (for example with the Corona warning app).

Public events must also be notified to the local authority at least five working days in advance. Large public events (more than 1,000 people outdoors and more than 500 people indoors) are also possible again - but only with the permission of the locally competent authority. An application to this effect must be submitted no later than ten working days before the start of the event.

The requirement to present a negative test result applies in the following indoor settings:

• during services close to the body when a qualified face mask cannot be worn, for example, during facial treatment
• at choir and brass band rehearsals
• in discotheques, dance clubs etc.
• in prostitution establishments, brothels, swingers' clubs and comparable establishments
• for visitors in nursing homes and hospitals

The collection of contact information is required in the following areas in enclosed spaces:

• at events open to the public, free of charge or accessible against payment
• in the case of offers and events in school hostels, adult education facilities and child and youth welfare facilities with accommodation facilities
• for recreational and organized sports
• in facilities/at offers which serve leisure activities
• in special extracurricular educational offers such as driving, flying, hunting, dog, music, youth art, dance, ballet schools and similar institutions, singing, music and private tuition as well as choir and orchestra rehearsals
• in commercial overnight stays (hotels, boarding houses, holiday apartments, camping sites, etc.)
• in fitness studios and saunas
• in swimming pools, leisure pools, adventure pools and thermal baths
• in restaurants
• in discotheques, dance clubs and other dance clubs
• in prostitution establishments, brothels and comparable establishments, for sexual services in prostitution vehicles and at prostitution events within the meaning of the Prostitution Protection Act as well as swinger clubs and similar offers
• in gambling halls, casinos, betting offices and similar establishments

In addition, the general infection control rules (AHA+ L) continue to apply.
Mouth-to-nose covering must continue to be worn in all enclosed spaces that are open to the public or where there is public traffic.

The requirement to wear a qualified face mask applies to persons 16 years of age and older in the following areas:

• in shops and service establishments open to the public and when receiving services and offers open to the public (applies only to customers)
• in the case of services close to the body, insofar as the nature of the service permits this
• at events (except at the seat)
• at meetings of municipal bodies (except at the seat)
• in doctors' surgeries, psychotherapists' and physiotherapists' surgeries or other outpatient facilities providing medical and therapeutic care (exception: in treatment rooms if the treatment does not permit this)
• in local public transport and coach events
• in restaurants within the meaning of the Thuringian Restaurant Act, including bars, pubs and cafés, insofar as the guest is not at his or her table (applies only to guests)
• as a participant in a meeting or religious and ideological event or gathering (except at the seat)
• for visitors in care facilities

We have summarized all the information for you in a PDF document.

Home isolation

Domestic isolation becomes necessary when a person is proven to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus based on a positive rapid anitgene test or a positive PCR test. This measure does not end automatically, but only when it has been lifted by the health authority.

Information for patients and relatives on home isolation can be found in the flyer from the Robert Koch Institute (PDF).

If persons have been tested positive, these persons should also inform their close contacts directly. In this document (Excel file packed as ZIP file) all persons are to be entered, with whom one had contact from 48 hours before symptom beginning. This applies in particular to conversation situations longer than 10 minutes and closer than 1.5 meters or a common longer stay (> 10 min) of several persons in one room, regardless of whether masks were worn or the distances were kept. Corresponding persons should then go into quarantine for 10 days. This is the only way to avoid infecting other people in the meantime. More information can be found under close contacts.

Quarantine

Quarantine is necessary if a person is possibly infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. This usually involves people returning from risk areas and close contacts.
For more information on quarantine after returning from risk areas, see Returning Travelers.

For the quarantine for close contacts, the health department orders the following (verbally and in writing) according to the recommendation of the Robert Koch Institute (PDF) for contact persons:

• a quarantine with a standard duration of 10 days calculated from the last day of contact with an infectious person
• reduce contacts within one's own household to the absolute minimum necessary
• Do not visit people outside your own household
• Carry out and document regular health checks on one's own responsibility
• in the event of symptoms of illness**, report immediately to the doctor treating the patient and to the public health department
• necessary medical treatments always after informing the attending physician about the quarantine by telephone in advance
• release from quarantine is possible after 5 days with a negative PCR test and after 7 days with a negative rapid antigen test.
• Without appropriate test submission, quarantine ends automatically after 10 days.

⚓ ** Symptoms of disease are:

• Elevated body temperature (above 37.5°C),
• difficulty breathing/shortness of breath,
• dry cough,
• lung pain,
• acute loss of sense of smell and taste,
• severe throat and limb pain.

From a legal point of view, there are two reasons why one is not allowed to leave one's own home or accommodation in order to fight the pandemic:

• A. because the health department orders it or
• B. because it is required by law.

A. Ordered by the health department

Ordered by the Health Department, the following persons may not leave their own home or shelter:

1. persons infected with SARS-CoV-2.

In this case, the Health Department will order home isolation. A domestic isolation is always pronounced if an infection is present. The duration depends on various factors (e.g. severity of the disease, concrete course). It is therefore always an individual decision of the health authority when the isolation can be lifted.

Attention: Currently, all persons tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 are requested to inform their contact persons and to enter them in the contact person list (see Downloads). This list must then be sent to gesundheitsamt@jena.de so that the contact persons who have to go into quarantine on their own are entitled to compensation.

2. close contacts

The health department will order quarantine for close contacts of an infected person. A quarantine is also always spoken if a possible infection cannot be excluded. The duration is determined according to the recommendation of the RKI for 10 days pronounced.

Note: Quarantine is also mandatory if you learn of the contact not from the health department but from the person infected with SARS-CoV-2. For more information, see Suspected Infected Persons.

Testing of asymptomatic contacts is recommended by the RKI. Both as soon as possible after identification, then twice weekly, and at the end of quarantine. This can be done by PCR or antigen tests, which can be performed by general practitioners and specialists as well as in the rapid testing centres.

More information can be found under contacts.

3. shortening quarantine periods

Without the presentation of a negative final test, quarantine ends after 10 days.

A reduction of the quarantine time to 5 days is possible with PCR testing at sample collection on day 5 at the earliest. Release from quarantine only takes place after receipt of the negative test result. If a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 is carried out before reaching day 5, its negative result does not shorten the quarantine period.

A reduction of the quarantine time to 7 days is possible by submitting a high quality rapid antigen test at the time of sample collection on day 7 at the earliest. Release from quarantine is only possible after receipt of the negative test result. If testing for SARS-CoV-2 is performed with a rapid test before reaching day 7, its negative result does not shorten the quarantine period. High quality rapid antigen tests should be used. Testing should be done as a third-party test by or under the supervision of trained persons.

When the negative result (PCR or rapid test) is sent to negativtestung@jena.de, the quarantine ends on the following day. In case of a positive result you remain in isolation and send the result to gesundheitsamt@jena.de. Contact the Health Department for further procedures.

B. Required by law

Due to applicable legal regulations such as the Thuringian Basic Regulation or theFederal Coronavirus Entry Regulation, the following persons are not allowed to leave their own home or accommodation:

1. travelers returning home

Further information can be found under Travelers Returning.

2. other persons suspected of being infected

These are all persons who

• become aware through other means (i.e. not via the public health department) that they have had contact with a person infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus,
• have a positive result on a rapid antigen test, and...
• have had a PCR test if symptoms are evident, but have not yet had a result,
• Have had a positive result on a PCR test.

For more information, see Suspected Infected Persons.

1. Asymptomatic vaccinated and convalescent patients. Exception applies to patients in medical facilities for the duration of their stay
2. Persons who have treated or cared for persons ill with COVID-19 under adequate protective measures in nursing or health care facilities and are not considered suspected of being infected.

Close contacts to a person tested positive for coronavirus (case) are those persons who had contact with the positive case up to 2 days before the first symptoms of the positive case or, in the case of asymptomatic positive cases, up to 2 days before the smear test. You can find an overview here.

Which form of contact counts?
At least one of the following situations must be present:

1. Close contact (less than 1.5m, close range) for longer than 10 minutes without adequate protection*.
2. Conversation between contact person and case(face-to-face contact, regardless of duration) without adequate protection* or direct contact (with respiratory secretion)
3. Simultaneous stay in the same room with probably high concentration of infectious aerosols regardless of distance for more than 10 minutes even with adequate protection*.

*adequate protection = case and contact person wear continuously and correctly mouth-nose-covering or FFP2 mask.

On the page of the RKI you can find helpful information and examples for the mentioned situations.

Identified close contacts should also inform their own close contacts outside the household and ask to watch for symptoms of illness and minimize contacts.

For guidance on quarantine for close contacts, see"What does domestic isolation and quarantine mean?".

Can you remember what you did the week before last? Who you met? This diary (PDF) is intended as an aid to your memory. And in case of emergency, it can help you to trace contacts better.

1. contact with infected person

Persons have become aware through other means (i.e., not through the health department) that they have had contact with a person infected with SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

These individuals must stay within their home or shelter and avoid contact with others. In addition, these individuals must report to the health department.

You have had contact with a person who has tested positive and have not yet been contacted by the public health department?

If so, please comply with the quarantine regulations on your own and contact us immediately via: gesundheitsamt@jena.de or 0049 3641 49-2222. Please be sure to include your personal details and contact data, in particular a telephone number, in the e-mail. Please indicate "Contact with positively tested persons" in the subject line.

If you have not received a decision from the Health Department (by phone and in writing) 10 days after your notification, the quarantine period will end unless you have developed symptoms in the meantime.

Note: This is not to be confused with the possible shortening of the contact quarantine ordered by the Health Department. This shortening to 10 days can only be approved by the Health Department. Currently, the Health Department is no longer issuing shortening orders.

2. positive rapid antigen test result

Persons who have received a positive result from a rapid antigen test must also stay within their home or accommodation, avoid contact with other persons and report to the Health Department. In addition, existing or developing symptoms, especially acute loss of sense of taste and smell, shortness of breath, or fever associated with new onset cough, must be reported to the health department immediately.

Your rapid test is positive and you are experiencing symptoms?

Then please report immediately via: gesundheitsamt@jena.de or 0049 3641 49-2222. Please be sure to include your personal details and contact information, especially a telephone number, in the email. Please state the positive rapid test in the subject line.

The requirement for home isolation does not apply if:

• You have submitted a negative PCR test result to the Health Department and the duty has been waived, shortened or otherwise modified by the Health Department; or
• You have not received a decision from the Health Department (by telephone and in writing) within 14 days of your notification.

3. recognizable symptoms

Individuals have recognizable symptoms of COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection and PCR testing has been performed, arranged, or ordered by a physician or other authorized agency. However, the test result is not yet available or indicates a positive result.

They must also stay within their home or shelter and avoid contact with others.

The quarantine requirement ends when:

• You have submitted a negative PCR test result to the health department and the duty has been lifted, shortened, or otherwise modified by the health department; or
• you have not received a decision from the Health Department (by telephone and in writing) within 14 days of your notification.

In all of the following three cases, persons suspected of being infected may only leave the home or shelter after consulting with the appropriate agencies. Namely for:

• a PCR test for the presence of infection,
• medical treatment that cannot be postponed..,
• ...a legally binding court or administrative summons or order...

People are considered to have recovered if they were demonstrably infected and this infection has been over for at least 28 days, but not more than 6 months. This must be proven by means of positive PCR tests. Those who are considered recovered do not need to present a negative test as a condition for access to trade and services.

As infection rates increase, so does the need for increased caution. The A-H-A plus L rule certainly does not provide one hundred percent safety, but adhering to it helps reduce the incidence of infection:

• A - Always keep enough distance from those around you, at least 1.5, feet. Avoid forming groups.
• H - Follow current hygiene rules for proper coughing and sneezing and hand washing.
• A - Anywhere that is crowded and the minimum distance cannot be maintained: Wear an everyday mask
• L - Ventilate regularly in closed rooms.

In addition, we would also like to point out the possibility of the annual flu vaccination. Dhe vaccination is paid for by the health insurance companies and can also be carried out by the family doctor.

For the latest information, see Mouth-to-Nose Covering.

Mouth-to-nose coverage intercepts droplets that you expel when you talk, cough, or sneeze. The risk of infecting another person through coughing or sneezing is reduced. Wearing a mouth-nose covering is therefore above all protection for others.

The COSMO monitor carried out in Erfurt has published an illustration about the effect of mouth-nose-covering (PDF).

Während des Atmens werden von infizierten Personen infektiöse große und kleine Tröpfchen und noch kleinere Aerosole freigesetzt. Quelle: Science; Grafik: chm, mia/Science

Numerous mutation variants are known.

Information on VOCs in Germany can be found on the RKI website:

• Overview and recommendations on new SARS-CoV-2 virus variants.
• Designation of international risk areas
• SARS-CoV-2: Basic virological data and virus variants

Again, the same elements that have helped so far against the variant of origin: Strict and consistent adherence to the known hygiene, quarantine, AHA+L and contact minimization rules.

These variants are treated according to the recommendations of the RKI:

• prioritised in contact tracing
• exempted from a shortening of the quarantine period

What are the recognised tests?

• PCR tests
• Rapid antigen tests
• Self-tests

The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices offers a list of recognised rapid tests and self-tests.

Who carries out tests?

The public health department of Jena runs a smear test centre itself, which currently mainly carries out PCR tests for persons in domestic isolation.

The city of Jena has opened rapid test centres with various partners, and various medical practices and laboratories also offer rapid tests. For more information, see the section on rapid testing options in Jena.

In the Thuringian ordinance, regulations have been made for self-testing. These can be carried out independently in private. Further information can be found in the section Self-testing.

Further possibilities for quick tests

Infection patients - testing

The following practices specialise in testing suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2. Please check directly with the practices for current opening hours.

Among others, the following medical practices also test foreign patients for SARS-CoV-2 after prior appointment by telephone. The practices will inform you about possible costs. Please inform yourself about the current opening hours directly at the practices.

Children - Testing

Necessary SARS-CoV-2 tests for children are carried out by the following general practitioners (please call in advance). Please inform yourself about the current opening hours directly at the practices.

To the overview map.

The testing stations are primarily intended for individuals who do not have access to regular testing and individuals who are asymptomatic. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The rapid tests are not suitable for visitors to senior facilities, symptomatic individuals (contact GP!), businesses or facilities with their own testing regime. Also, a free test to end a quarantine cannot be done at the rapid testing center. Only the health department team can declare a quarantine terminated.

No.

People who would like to be tested, please bring their identity card. Then the registration takes place on site. During a 15-minute waiting period, the result is checked and a certificate is issued.

Waiting times are to be expected on site. The necessary spacing rules must be observed.

The sample is taken by throat and nasal swab. The swab is then placed in a tube with a buffer solution so that the virus particles are washed out. A test strip is then used to determine the result. If one line appears on the strip, the test is negative. If two lines appear, the test is positive.

Please do not brush your teeth, chew gum, smoke or suck sweets for about 30 minutes before the procedure.

If a test result is positive, a PCR test is performed directly on site for validation and the data is forwarded to the public health department. Affected persons must immediately go into domestic isolation.

Please also note the information under point 2 in the section: Who else is suspected of being infected?

Self-testing is a mandatory requirement for entry:

• for the use of a body-worn service if a qualified face mask cannot be worn or cannot be worn continuously,
• from 12/04/2021 (where the national infection situation permits) for entry to retail outlets.

The self-test must be performed on-site under the guidance and observation of employees or designated control persons, and only a present negative result will permit entry.

Only antigen rapid tests or comparable PcC tests according to the official website of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices may be used for these self-tests.

By way of derogation, access may also be granted if

1. a medical certificate of a test not older than 12 hours or
2. a molecular biological test result not older than 24 hours is available.

Should a self-test, which is carried out under the observation of staff, be positive, then there is an obligation for the person tested to have a PCR test carried out immediately.

Please go immediately into domestic isolation, avoid contact with other persons and please report immediately to the public health department via: corona@jena.de or 0049 3641 49-2222. Please be sure to include your personal details and contact information, especially a telephone number, in the e-mail. Please state the positive rapid test in the subject line.

Further information can be found in the section Who else is suspected of being infected? under point 2.

Classic PCR test

• Test detects the genetic material of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) (PCR = polymerase chain reaction)
• Test is considered the most reliable method for detecting an infection
• PCR tests are always snapshots, but reliably detect low levels of virus genome in the nasopharynx
• It takes a long time until results are available (currently approx. 24 hours)
• Swab from mouth, nose or throat area
• Samples are analysed in laboratories
• Used in people with symptoms typical of corona, category I contacts, before a planned operation, in outbreaks, when risk is indicated in the corona warning app

PCR rapid tests

• Test like the classic PCR test, based on the detection of the genetic material of the virus.
• Swab from oral pharyngeal cavity directly on site (point-of-care).
• "Cartridge tests": (simplified) have the laboratory integrated in a small box, therefore no transport time to the laboratory, thus fast results (few hours).
• Tests are less reliable
• Used in situations where it is necessary to find out quickly if person is infectious (emergency rooms, outpatient clinics, nursing homes...), also used in some family and pediatric practices

Antigen rapid tests

• Rapid test confirms direct pathogen detection
• Relatively new on the market
• Similar to pregnancy test: patient sample (e.g. saliva, nasal swab material) is taken and mixed with solution, then applied to test kit
• In contrast to PCR tests, they do not detect the genetic material of the virus, but protein fragments (proteins) of SARS-CoV-2 viruses, the so-called antigens.
• Tests are carried out directly at the point of care (doctor's practice, test centres, nursing homes, etc.) by a third party authorised under infection control law.
• Tests provide fast results (approx. 15 minutes)
• Disadvantage: if the number of viruses is low, false negative results may result, rarely a test may also be false positive: each positive rapid test must be followed by a PCR test to confirm the result, until the PCR test result is available, the person must remain in quarantine

Antibody tests

• Do not detect virus itself, but immune system reaction to pathogen (antibodies), indicates infection that person has had
• Not suitable for detecting acute infection, therefore not an alternative to the PCR test.
• Antibody tests are available in the form of laboratory or rapid tests
• For certain occupational groups (nursing, medical staff, certain risk groups...) and under special questions
• Significance of the antibody test currently unclear, duration of antibody detection subject to research

Children under 6 years of age continue to be exempt from the obligation to wear mouth/nose covering.

For children under 15 years of age, the obligation to wear a mouth-nose covering (e.g. self-sewn or self-made cloth masks, scarves, shawls) applies as before.

For persons 15 years of age and older, the obligation to wear a mouth/nose covering also applies, and in addition, the obligation to use a qualified face mask in certain places.

The wearing of a mouth-nose covering serves as a protection for you and your fellow men against a possible infection with the coronavirus. If it is not possible for you to wear a mouth-nose covering for health reasons, you must present a medical certificate.

The medical certificate must contain the following information:

• full name,
• date of birth,
• if presented to the relevant authorities: a specific reason for exemption from the obligation to wear it.

If the data collected is checked, it must be kept confidential. The collected data may only be used for the purpose of proving certain hygiene rules. A copy of the certificate may not be made.

A face mask must continue to be worn in all enclosed spaces that are open to the public or where there is public traffic. The requirement to wear a qualified face mask applies to persons 16 years of age and older in the following areas:

• in shops and service establishments open to the public and when receiving services and offers open to the public (applies only to customers)
• in the case of services close to the body, insofar as the nature of the service permits this
• at events (except at the seat)
• at meetings of municipal bodies (except at the seat)
• in doctors' surgeries, psychotherapists' and physiotherapists' surgeries or other outpatient facilities providing medical and therapeutic care (exception: in treatment rooms if the treatment does not permit this)
• in local public transport and coach events
• in restaurants within the meaning of the Thuringian Restaurant Act, including bars, pubs and cafés, insofar as the guest is not at his or her table (applies only to guests)
• as a participant in a meeting or religious and ideological event or gathering (except at the seat)
• for visitors in care facilities

According to §5 Para. 3 of the Thuringian Special Ordinance, the following qualified face masks are permitted:

• medical face masks or
• respiratory protection masks without exhalation valve with a technically higher protection standard, in particular FFP2.

An overview of which certifications these masks must have is provided by the Thuringian Ministry responsible for health.

For the admissibility of masks in the sense of the Thuringian special ordinance, the only decisive factor is whether they have one of the certifications listed in the overview. Other certifications or certificates that indicate equivalent or even better filtering effects are not recognized.

The higher protective effect of medical mouth-nose coverings compared to community masks is only achieved if you wear the mouth-nose covering correctly. This is the only way to significantly reduce the risk of infecting yourself and others with the coronavirus. You should therefore observe the following:

• If possible, wash your hands thoroughly with soap before using the medical mouth-nose covering.
• Always hold the mask by the straps only.
• Pull the straps over both ears.
• The mask must fit snugly over the mouth, nose and cheeks.
• The edges of the mask should fit snugly around the face so that air cannot be breathed in or out past the mask.
• If the mask becomes soaked or wet, for example due to saliva ejection or even rain, it should be removed and replaced.
• When removing the mask, use only the straps and avoid touching the non-woven fabric if possible.

There are further instructions for wearing FFP-2 or FFP-3 masks. Paying attention to them is really important: the mask will only protect you if it is worn correctly - leaks increase the risk of infection.

1. Your mask needs to fit snugly and sit over your mouth, nose and cheeks. The edges of the mask should fit snugly and not allow airflow past the mask. This means pressing the wire straps close to the bridge of your nose so that the mask fits your face shape. Often the masks can only be used with the help of special retaining straps and foam seals on the nose without edge openings.
2. When using your mask for the first time, please test it to ensure that it allows enough air to pass through to minimise obstruction to normal breathing.
3. Please change your mask as soon as it becomes soaked. Refer to the following section for reuse instructions.
4. Please always remove your mask using the straps and do not touch the front.
5. Difference between masks with and without exhalation valves: Masks without valves filter both the air you breathe in and the air you breathe out. Masks with a valve only filter the inhaled air and therefore offer little external protection.

Beard wearers

Beard wearers are recommended to shave before wearing FFP2 or FFP3 masks, otherwise the protection is not guaranteed. However, in Thuringia one may switch to the medical surgical mask - and for this the beard does not have to be removed (in Bavaria, for example, the law is somewhat stricter).

FFP2 masks are actually intended for single use. In the field of occupational health and safety, they are disposed of, for example, at the end of a working day. Or they have to be replaced earlier, if they are dirty or soaked, for example.

In the event that FFP2 masks are only worn for a short period of time, such as when shopping or on public transport, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices provides instructions for reuse.

FFP2 masks (or masks with a comparable protective effect) are almost exclusively intended for single use with disposal at the end of e.g. one day, i.e. reprocessing is usually not possible. In addition, the mask must be changed in the event of moisture penetration or contamination. For possible multiple use and correct application, please refer to the information provided by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices.

Specific information on disinfection and private reuse can be obtained from the Münster University of Applied Sciences, which has tested various procedures with the support of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices.

1. disinfection procedure: 7 days drying with room air

SARS-CoV-2 is infectious on mask materials even at room temperature over a long period of time. For example, if you use the FFP2 mask on a Monday for shopping or public transport, allow the mask to dry in room air (preferably hung in an airy place) for the next six days of the week. And when it's Monday again, exactly one week later, you can use the mask again.

2. drying in the oven at 80°C with top and bottom heat

With the procedure "Dry heat 80°C for 60 minutes" SARS-CoV-2 can be completely inactivated. Outside the oven, cover the clean oven rack/grate with baking paper. Place the dry mask and a roasting or oven thermometer on the baking paper, but leave it still outside the oven. Set the oven to 80°C top and bottom heat (it is not known whether pathogens can detach from the mask in convection/hot air).

Retail, mail order, specialist trade

Purchasing is possible in stationary retail trade, mail order business as well as specialized trade. Always pay attention to the correct certification!

Are FFP2 masks free of charge for holders of JenaBonus cards?

Yes, all holders of the JenaBonus receive free FFP2 masks in addition to the reduced JenaBonus tickets at the service center of the Jena public transport. With the new regulations of the "Bundesnotbremse", the masks are a prerequisite for using the offers of the local traffic. For this reason, the city now also issues the protective masks provided by the state here. For both offers, the JenaBonus authorization must be shown.

For the visit of the service center, the same hygiene regulations apply as for the grocery store. Thus, no pre-registration or quick test is necessary, but it is asked to visit the service center only for urgent matters, e.g. for the purchase of Jenabonus tickets or for the exchange of old tickets.

Service center Jena local traffic
Holzmarkt-Passage
Holzmarkt 1
07743 Jena
Phone: 0049 3641 414-354

• Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 19:00 o'clock
• Saturday: 09:00 - 14:00 o'clock

The most important features to look for when buying FFP2 masks are:

• Indication of the manufacturer and clear marking of the model,
• Class (FFP2),
• indication of the number and year of the underlying standard,
• With the CE marking, the manufacturer certifies compliance with European safety regulations,
• NR (not reusable) or R (reusable) marking,
• A four-digit identification number provides information about which test centre monitors the quality of the FFP2 masks. In the NANDO database, you can use the identification number to display the corresponding test centre,
• Instructions for use in German.

After the summer holidays, a new general decree of the Thuringian Ministry of Education (PDF) will come into force. A letter to parents (PDF) informs about the regulations.

14-day safety buffer at the start of the school year

The school year starts with a 14-day safety buffer, during which increased corona protection measures apply at schools, regardless of the warning level of the early warning system applicable in the respective district. These include mandatory masking, including in classrooms from Grade 5 onwards, as well as a 3G detection requirement, which is subject to fines and includes mandatory testing in schools. Convalescents, vaccinated persons or persons with a current test certificate are exempt from testing in schools.

Thuringian early warning system from 20.09.

From 20.09.2021, there will be a graduated response according to the stages of the Thuringian Early Warning System. Preventive infection control measures and hygiene plans at schools will be the norm at all stages.

The Thuringian Regulation infection protection regulations to contain the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in Child day care facilities, the further youth welfare, schools and for the sports operation (ThürSARS-CoV-2-KiJuSSp-VO) maps the normal school day with increased infection protection in a basic phase. This corresponds to the basic stage of the Thuringian early warning system.

The warning phase in the ThürSARS-CoV-2-KiJuSSp-VO makes it possible to implement the three warning levels of the early warning system in schools.

• Warning stage 1: From warning level 1 voluntary tests are offered and also certified in addition to numerous basic measures.
• Warning level 2: From warning level 2 pupils who have neither been vaccinated nor recovered nor tested are supervised in a separate, possibly inter-grade learning group. This will protect students participating in testing while maintaining or re-establishing school attendance for all students. Such a division presupposes that the necessary spatial and staffing possibilities exist at the respective school; otherwise, all pupils are educated in their learning groups at one school.
• Warning level 3: In warning level 3, a fine is added for non-participation in the test.

From now on new regulations for quarantine times

The city of Jena implements the regulations for quarantine management issued by the State of Thuringia on Friday, 11.09.2021 by the Ministry of Health. These adopt new recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute on contact person management.

Contact person management still according to the recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute

As in the past, contact persons are identified on the basis of the current recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on contact person tracing for SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Accordingly, a ten-day quarantine applies to close contacts. The recommended measures can be adapted after a risk assessment by the responsible public health department - taking into account the intended protection goals. In the school sector in particular, the risk of infection is assessed accordingly. If factors are predominantly present that are associated with a higher or high risk of infection, the quarantine of the surrounding seat neighbours is not sufficient; instead, the ordering of more comprehensive quarantine measures or a quarantine of the entire class should be examined - this also applies to contact situations that are difficult to survey or if there is more than one source case.

The Robert Koch Institute has published an overview on this subject, which can be accessed via this link.

Changed segregation regulations can lead to a shortening of quarantine times

The following options are new:

1. 10 days quarantine without final test
2. 5 days quarantine with PCR testing with sample collection on day 5 at the earliest. Release from quarantine only after receipt of negative test result. If a test for SARS-CoV-2 is performed before the end of quarantine, its negative result does not shorten the quarantine period.
3. 7 days quarantine with a high quality rapid antigen test if specimen is collected on day 7 at the earliest. Release from quarantine is only after receipt of the negative test result. If testing for SARS-CoV-2 is performed prior to the end of quarantine, its negative result does not shorten the quarantine period. High quality rapid antigen tests should be used. Testing should be performed as a third-party test by or under the supervision of trained personnel.

It should be noted that the first day of quarantine is the day following the last contact with the source case.

PCR tests can be carried out in all doctors' and paediatricians' surgeries, as well as in all smear test centres of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Thuringia. In Jena, the Synlab laboratory is authorised to do this:

• Location: Löbstedter Str. 93, smear container.
• Registration: only by telephone arrangement, Tel.: 0049 3641 507421

Dealing with quarantine orders in schools

If chains of infection cannot be traced, individual decisions are necessary, which may sometimes include a temporary closure of facilities.

• If a COVID-19 case becomes known, the necessary investigations are carried out immediately by the staff of the Health Service in close cooperation with the respective school management.
• The identified contact persons are categorised according to the RKI guidelines. The close contacts are then contacted and an individual hearing takes place.
• Contact persons currently have to be quarantined for 14 days after the last contact with the original case. If this policy changes, it will becommunicatedby theHealth Department.
• Testing of persons without COVID-19 symptoms occurs between the 6th and 7th day after the last contact with the COVID-19 case. However, a negative test result does not lead to a shortening of the quarantine period!
• The extent of testing depends on the COVID-19 case and its contacts in the infectious period (starting 48 hours before the first symptom). This is always an individual decision, i.e. there is no general approach.
• If contact persons develop COVID-19 symptoms within the quarantine period, they must present themselves to their family doctor and are tested there. This is where the treatment mandate of the general practitioners and the cost coverage by the private and statutory health insurances come into play.
• The availability of the test result depends, among other things, on the laboratories that carry out the tests.
• If contact persons are tested in the smear test centre / fever consultation hour of the specialist health service, they receive the test result after 48 hours at the latest, which is communicated to them by telephone by the staff of the specialist service.

In the event of positive SARS-CoV-19 cases at schools, the public health department communicates directly with the school management and advises on concrete measures.

The first point of contact for parents of adolescents and children during an infection is the school management. They provide information on the next steps, on possible (partial) closures and on the quarantine rules that have been quarantine rules that have been decided upon.

We have compiled the most important information for you in a letter to parents (PDF) for parents.

Current partial closures and closures of educational institutions

An overview of the current situation of (partial) closures and quarantine measures of schools and daycare centres is available here:Thuringian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.

According to the Infection Protection Act in the case of loss of earnings due to necessary childcare, compensation is possible on application in accordance with § 56 Para. 1a Infection Protection Act.

Reason: School closure or a ban on entering the school in the course of the Corona crisis

This applies to the care of children who have not yet reached the age of twelve or who are disabled and dependent on assistance. The entitlement is gemployees who are unable to work due to due to the closure of the school or a ban on entering the school in the course of the Corona Crisis and the childcare that has become necessary as a result. The application is always made by the employer on behalf of the employee for the first period of 6 weeks.ehmer, as they have to pay in advance. Self-employed persons are also eligible to apply. Applications are to be submitted directly to the responsible Thuringian State Administration Office. You will find the necessary application forms as well as detailed question and answer cataloguesor your employer aon the website of the state administration office.

Furthermore, the child sickness benefit has been extended. On 18.01.2021, the Bundesrat decided to increase the children's sickness benefit for legally insured persons from 10 to 20 working days per parent or from 20 to 40 days for single parents, so that they can look after their children at home. The entitlement applies when the child is ill and when childcare facilities have to be closed due to a pandemic.

• Thuringian Ordinance on the Regulation of Measures under Infection Protection Law and the Gradual Further Containment of the Spread of the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2
• Thuringian regulationon the infection protection regulations for the containmentthe spread of thecoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 - in child day care facilities, the furtheryouth welfare, schools and for sports (ThürSARS-CoV-2 -KiJuSSp-VO) (PDF)
• General decree for the Free State of Thuringia for day care facilities for children, schools and further youth welfare (PDF)

At universities, face-to-face events and examinations (including aptitude or entrance examinations and selection procedures) are permitted.

Only students, teachers and guests who have been vaccinated, have recovered or have tested negative are permitted to take part in attendance events. Appropriate proof must be presented. The universities regulate the details in their infection protection concepts.

Further information can be found on the websites of the universities:

• Information of the Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena
• Information of the Ernst Abbe University Jena

Information on how to register a public event can be found in the Service Portal.

Public events

Only public events that are open to the public free of charge or for a fee are subject to notification. They must be notified no later than 5 working days before the start of the event.

A permit must be applied for for public events outside closed rooms with more than 1000 participating persons and in closed rooms with more than 500 participating persons. The application must be submitted no later than 10 working days before the start of the event.

An infection control concept must be prepared for each public event.

When planning your event, you must be guided by the currently valid industry regulations.

Non-public, private events

Private or non-public events are only subject to notification if more than 70 persons participate outside closed rooms and if more than 30 persons participate in closed rooms.

No infection control concept is required for non-public events. In the case of private gatherings in enclosed spaces, hygiene rules should nevertheless be implemented and, in particular, sufficient ventilation should be ensured. Whenever possible, private gatherings should take place outside closed rooms. It is strongly recommended to use contact tracking facilities (especially browser-based web applications and apps).

For further details, please refer to the guidance for holding private/non-public events PDF.

Professional and company events with a closed group of participants are not subject to notification, even if they take place outside the company premises.

An infection protection concept must be prepared by the organiser for every public event. The following form asks for all the necessary contents that should be included in an infection protection concept. The form can be an important aid in the preparation.
.

Travel within Germany and abroad is possible again. Please find out which regulations currently apply at your holiday destination.

Current entry and quarantine regulations can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office or on that of the Federal Government.

Please inform yourself before and after a trip about the information on the destination country via the Foreign Office and to the areas designated as risk area, high incidence area or virus variant area declared by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

The Federal Ministry of Health has also information for travellers.

When returning from abroad, the following rules must be observed:

High-risk area

• Digital entry registration (control at check-in airport and on entry), on entry negative PCR test (max. 72 h) or antigen test (max. 48 h) or vaccination/gene proof
• Quarantine obligation 10 days (shortening from 1st day with proof of vaccination/gene or from 5th day after entryday with negative test proof):
• For children who have not yet reached the age of 12, isolation ends after five days after entry (without test)

Virus variant area

• Digital entry registration (control at check-in airport and on entry), on entry negative PCR test (max. 72 h) or antigen test (max. 24 h), (vaccination/gene proof not sufficient!)
• Quarantine obligation 14 days without possibility of shortening; transport ban for all persons from virus variant areas (except German citizens and persons with residence and right of abode in the FRG,see §10 Corona entry regulation)

Other areas

• negative PCR-test (max. 72 h) or antigen-test (max. 48 h) or proof of vaccination/genesis on entry
• no entry registration, no quarantine obligation
• The test/proof obligation concerns all persons who have completed the 12th year of life.

Further information on entry and quarantine regulations can be found on the Federal Government's website and in this PDF document.

An up-to-date list of high-risk areas and virus variant areas can be found on the website of the Robert Koch Institute.

The exceptions can be found in the federal coronavirus entry regulation (PDF) under § 6.

The Jena Economic Development Agency is available as a contact for the economic consequences of the Corona pandemic. JenaWirtschaft answers questions from local companies and provides contacts for further assistance at:

• Tel: 0049 3641 8730030 or
• by e-mail: jenawirtschaft@jena.de.

On Corona Help fentrepreneurs and employees can find helpful information on Corona bridging assistance, short-time working allowance and more.

Employees can find advice and information on the following websites:

• Corona: labour law, home office, short-time working allowance - what employees need to know - DGB
• Corona crisis - Current information on receiving our benefits - Employment Agency
• Leaflets for employees and employers - Protection against infections

You can contact the Jena Employment Agency by telephone during opening hours on 0049 3641 379999 reach.

The general advice of the employment agency is free of charge under 0049 800 4555500.

If you have to go into quarantine, your employer will usually continue to pay your wages for a maximum of six weeks.

The basis for this is the Infection Protection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz, IfSG) § 56, paragraph 5. It obliges the employer to pay out the money on behalf of the authorities, but he can have it refunded by the authorities afterwards.

Rules on quarantine and continued payment of wages

1. If an employee has to go into domestic quarantine as a category I contact person, the employer can have the full salary reimbursed by the state of Thuringia. However, the employer must initially continue to pay the employee's salary for a maximum period of six weeks.
2. If a child under the age of 12 is placed in domestic quarantine as a Category I contact and an employee must provide care as a legal guardian, the employer may have 67 percent of the salary reimbursed by the state of Thuringia. This also applies if the child is subject to a ban on entering the facility or if the facility is closed due to infection.
   For a maximum period of six weeks, the employer must pay the 67 percent share to the employee. The employer may voluntarily supplement the difference to the full salary. After a period of six weeks, the parent providing care must submit an application to the state of Thuringia.

-> further information

You can find further information on the website of the Thuringian State Administration Office.

The obligation to quarantine (also ban on entering) results directly from the Thuringian Ordinance / Jena General Decree. Please present this to your employer.

You must prove to your employer or other third parties that you are a returnee from a risk area, e.g. by presenting travel contracts, tickets, your own affidavits, etc. Please keep these documents in a safe place. Therefore, keep these documents carefully!

You are not covered by the Thuringian ordinances / Jena general ordinances (no travel returnees etc.) and have been quarantined directly by the city of Jena? Only in this case you will receive a separate notice from the Health Department as proof for the employer.

The above-mentioned quarantine orders prohibit an appearance and activity at the company workplace. Provided that the necessary work equipment is available, there is still an obligation to work in the home office in individual cases.

You will only receive a sick note additionally - as usual - from your attending physician if you show signs of illness. In this case, an obligation to work in the home office would, of course, not apply.

Non-public staff restaurants and non-public canteens, if their operation is absolutely necessary for the maintenance of work processes or for the operation of the respective facility, in particular if individual meals cannot be taken in separate rooms.

Doctors and medical staff in medical and therapeutic facilities (in particular medical and therapeutic practices, medical care centres and hospitals) must wear medical mouth and nose protection.

The general decree of 11.12.2020 also stipulates that doctors and medical staff must wear an FFP-2 mask without an exhalation valve during treatments close to the face, e.g. dental and ophthalmological procedures.

If you are a physician and would like to order FFP-2 masks for yourself and your staff to perform facial services, you may do so using this form at the purchase prices listed.

Visitors to a care facility must be registered in accordance with the facility's hygiene concept.

A qualified face mask must be worn when entering the facility.

Access to a care facility may only be granted with a negative test (rapid antigen test on site or not older than 24h or negative PCR test not older than 48h). For incidence below 35, fully vaccinated or recovered persons do not need to present a negative test before the visit.

All employees of the facilities are obliged to be tested regularly.

Employees in care facilities are obliged to be tested on at least three non-consecutive days per week in which the employee is on duty, employees in special forms of housing as well as in other offers of integration assistance on two non-consecutive days per week in which the employee is on duty. For employees who have been vaccinated or have recovered, this obligation exists once a week.

Our Corona hotline is available for you Monday - Friday 10:00 - 13:00 hrs 0049 3641 49-2222.

The health office receives test results from the laboratories and informs those tested about the results. Please refrain from making interim enquiries with the Health Department. Our colleagues are working flat out, but cannot take every call. Thank you for your understanding.

Due to the large number of inquiries, there may be longer waiting times on the hotlines. Please also use the e-mail address corona@jena.de.

Contact overview city administration

You can find out how to reach all areas of the city administration in the following overview.

We would like to avoid waiting times and make it easier for you and our colleagues to keep their distance. Even if our doors are only open to a limited extent at first - we look forward to seeing you!

More and more employees of the city administration are working to cope with the Corona pandemic. In particular, contact tracing and telephone duties are being handled additionally. Therefore, the following areas have limited availability at this time. Please always make an appointment in advance:

• Citizen Services: 0049 3641 493714
• Family Service 0049 3641 493798
• Driver's license office: 0049 3641 493730
• Foreigners' Registration Office: 0049 3641 493360

Citizen Service

You can make appointments either via the Online Appointment Arrangement Citizens' Service or by telephone under the number 0049 3641 49-3714 make an appointment.

Take advantage of the possibility to submit a large number of applications online or by mail as well, so that personal appearances and thus the risk of infection for all of us can be reduced. Click here for more information: Citizen Service Application during Corona.

The Jena Economic Development Agency is available as a contact partner for the economic consequences. JenaWirtschaft answers questions from local companies and provides contacts for further assistance under:

• Tel.: 0049 3641 8730030 or
• by e-mail: jenawirtschaft@jena.de.

• Coronavirus - what to do? (PDF)
• Coronavirus - Information in easy language (PDF)

• Quarantine obligation (PDF)

• Rules for shopping (PDF)
• Maximum number of persons in shops up to 800 sqm (PDF)
• Maximum number of persons in shops over 800 sqm (PDF)

• What to look out for in restaurants and cafés (PDF)

Federal Commissioner for Integration

The Federal Commissioner for Integration has secured information in many different languages published / Information in several languages can be found here.

Refugee Council Thuringia

The Refugee Council Thuringia has also information on the coronavirus in different languages / For further information in different languages see this website.

• Coronavirus / Covid-19 - Information for International Students and Visiting Scientists and on Staying Abroad
• Coronavirus - we provide information in several languages - Integration Commissioner of the Federal Government