Coronavirus

In a county or an independent city, in deviation from the regulations in the basic level, the infection level occurs if for three consecutive days

• the hospitalization incidence in this county or city exceeds the threshold value of 12.0 and
• the Thuringia-wide burden of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units reaches or exceeds the threshold of 12.0 percent.

is reached or exceeded.

Tougher measures then automatically apply in the respective county or county-free city from the day after next after the announcement of the occurrence of the infection level.

An overview of the measures in the basic level as well as the stricter regulations in the infection level can be found at the State of Thuringia. Thuringia has also provided an overview by regulatory area as a PDF.

Please note that the Corona figures are updated from Monday to Friday. The figures for the weekend will be added on the following Monday.

This also applies to the OpenData portal. Daily updated values can be obtained from the RKI dashboard. To do so, please enter the search term "Jena". To display the newly reported cases for one day, please filter in the "Federal States" field and select "Thuringia". In the left screen all districts and cities of Thuringia appear. Select Jena there.

Current cases

Development of the diseases

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

Each person is urged to reduce physical-social contact with other persons except members of his or her own household and persons for whom custody or access rights exist.

For private indoor gatherings, it is recommended that the minimum distance be maintained, that general hygiene be observed, that a qualified face mask be used when possible, and that adequate ventilation be provided. Where feasible, it is recommended that private gatherings be held outside of enclosed spaces.

It is strongly recommended that a minimum distance of at least 1.5 meters be maintained wherever possible and reasonable. In particular, in enclosed spaces and situations where the minimum distance is not maintained or where closer or prolonged contact with other persons is unavoidable, it is recommended that a qualified face mask be worn at all times.

Unless and insofar as within closed rooms of such facilities and enterprises, physical contact with patients, persons under care, persons receiving care or employees is not precluded:

1. Hospitals,
2. Facilities for outpatient surgery,
3. Preventive or rehabilitation facilities where medical care comparable to hospitals is provided,
4. Dialysis facilities,
5. day clinics,
6. outpatient nursing services providing intensive outpatient care in institutions, residential groups or other communal living arrangements,
7. fully or partially inpatient facilities for the care and accommodation of elderly, disabled or persons in need of care or comparable facilities,
8. services provided by outpatient care services and companies offering services comparable to those provided by the facilities referred to in No. 7; this does not include offers of assistance in everyday life within the meaning of Section 45a (1) Sentence 2 of the Eleventh Book of the German Social Code (SGB XI),
9. Rescue services

1. in closed means of public transport as passengers as well as control and service personnel and driving and control personnel, insofar as there is physical contact with other persons due to the activity,
2. in doctors' and dentists' surgeries, with the exception of treatment rooms, if the nature of the service does not permit this,
3. in closed rooms of
   a) shelters for the homeless in accordance with § 36 Para. 1 No. 3 IfSG or
   b) facilities in accordance with § 36 Para. 1 No. 4 IfSG for the communal accommodation of asylum seekers, persons who are obliged to leave the country, refugees and ethnic German immigrants, if and insofar as physical contact with the accommodated persons or employees is not excluded within the closed rooms of these facilities.

As of May 2022, a 3G regulation will apply for visitors to hospitals, care services, etc. Accordingly, vaccinated and recovered persons no longer have to provide negative proof of testing. The regulation applies to the following facilities:

1. Hospitals,
2. outpatient nursing services that provide intensive outpatient care in institutions, residential groups or other communal living arrangements, and
3. fully or partially inpatient facilities for the care and accommodation of elderly persons, persons with disabilities or persons in need of care or comparable persons,
4. outpatient nursing services and companies offering services comparable to those of the facilities pursuant to No. 3; this does not include offers of assistance in everyday life within the meaning of Section 45a (1) Sentence 2 of the Eleventh Book of the German Social Code (Sozialgesetzbuch)

The public buildings of the city of Jena can be re-entered by appointment. The wearing of a mouth-nose covering for visitors is necessary.

• Immediately go into self-isolation, a request from the health department is not necessary for this.
• Persons tested positive are subject to home isolation. This ends after 5 days at the earliest, if there has been 48 hours of freedom from symptoms beforehand.
  On day 11, the quarantine ends automatically. However, testing is recommended for all persons, because even if one is symptom-free, it cannot be ruled out that one is still contagious.
• If symptoms are still present on day 11, be sure to report to your primary care physician.
• Please inform possible contact persons so that they can separate themselves as voluntarily as possible.

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

The quarantine obligation for contact persons no longer exists. However, it is strongly recommended to isolate oneself for five days and to be tested daily.

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

• Persons tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Suspected infected persons are allowed to leave the apartment or shelter in the following cases:

• a PCR test for the presence of infection,
• a medical treatment that cannot be postponed, after clarification by telephone with the doctor's office
• a legally binding court or official summons or order, after clarification with the authority by telephone.

What are the recognized tests?

• PCR tests
• Rapid antigen tests
• Self-tests

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

Who performs tests?

The Jena Health Department itself operates a swab center that currently performs PCR testing primarily for persons in domestic isolation.

The city of Jena has opened rapid testing centers with various partners, and various medical practices and laboratories also offer rapid testing. For more information, see the section Rapid Testing Opportunities in Jena.

Regulations for self-testing have been made in the Thuringian ordinance. 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 specialize in testing suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2. Please check directly with the practices for current 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 performed 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.

Rapid testing is not appropriate for visitors to senior facilities, symptomatic individuals (contact your primary care physician!), businesses, or facilities with their own testing regimen. Also, a free test to end a quarantine cannot be performed at the rapid testing center. Only the health department team can declare a quarantine terminated.

This is variable depending on the test center. Check with the desired test center.

Please do not brush your teeth, chew gum, smoke or suck candy for about 30 minutes beforehand.

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

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

If a self-test is positive, the tested person is obliged to have a PCR test performed immediately.

Please immediately go into domestic isolation, avoid contact with other persons. If your PCR test is also positive, report to the health department using the online form.

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 viral genome in the nasopharynx
• It takes a long time for results to become available (currently approx. 24 hours)
• Swab taken from the mouth, nose or throat
• Samples are analyzed in laboratories
• Use in persons with symptoms typical of corona, category I contacts, before a planned surgery, during outbreaks, when risk is indicated in the corona warning app

PCR rapid tests

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

Rapid antigen tests

• Rapid test confirms direct pathogen detection
• Relatively newly approved on the market
• Similar to pregnancy test: patient sample (e.g. saliva, nasal swab material) is collected and mixed with solution, then applied to test kit
• Unlike 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 performed directly at the point of care (doctor's office, test centers, nursing homes, etc.) by a third party authorized 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 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 testing

• Do not detect virus itself, but immune system reaction to pathogen (antibodies), indicates infection that has occurred
• 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

FFP2 or comparable mask

Unless and to the extent that physical contact with patients, persons under care, persons being cared for or employees is not excluded within closed rooms of these facilities and companies:

1. Hospitals,
2. Facilities for outpatient surgery,
3. Preventive or rehabilitation facilities where medical care comparable to hospitals is provided,
4. Dialysis facilities,
5. day clinics,
6. outpatient nursing services providing intensive outpatient care in institutions, residential groups or other communal living arrangements,
7. fully or partially inpatient facilities for the care and accommodation of elderly, disabled or persons in need of care or comparable facilities,
8. services provided by outpatient care services and companies offering services comparable to those provided by the facilities referred to in No. 7; this does not include offers of assistance in everyday life within the meaning of Section 45a (1) Sentence 2 of the Eleventh Book of the German Social Code (SGB XI),
9. Rescue services

mandatory use of masks (OP mask or FFP2)

1. in closed means of public transport as passengers as well as control and service personnel and driving and control personnel, insofar as there is physical contact with other persons due to the activity,
2. in doctors' and dentists' surgeries, with the exception of treatment rooms, if the nature of the service does not permit this,
3. in closed rooms of
   a) shelters for the homeless in accordance with § 36 Para. 1 No. 3 IfSG or
   b) facilities in accordance with § 36 Para. 1 No. 4 IfSG for the communal accommodation of asylum seekers, persons who are obliged to leave the country, refugees and ethnic German immigrants, if and insofar as physical contact with the persons accommodated or employees is not excluded within the closed rooms of these facilities.

In addition, it is strongly recommended that masks continue to be worn indoors wherever the minimum distance of 1.5 meters cannot be maintained, e.g., in waiting lines. Also outdoors, wearing a mouth-nose covering in situations with groups of people (e.g. weekly markets, public transport stops) can provide further protection against infection.

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 you are unable 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 competent authorities: a specific reason for exemption from the obligation to wear it.

In case of control of the collected data, it must be kept confidential. The collected data may be used exclusively for the purpose of proving certain hygiene rules. A copy of the certificate may not be made.

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 handle 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 against the face so that no air can be breathed in or out past the mask.
• If the mask has become soaked or wet, for example due to saliva sputum or even rain, it should be removed and replaced.
• When removing the mask, use only the straps and do not touch 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 properly - leaks increase the risk of infection.

1. Your mask must fit snugly and fit 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 also only be used with the help of special retaining straps and foam seals on the nose without edge openings.
2. When using the mask for the first time, please test it to see if it allows enough air to pass through to minimize 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 via the straps and do not touch the front.
5. Difference between masks with and without exhalation valve: Masks without a valve filter both the inhaled and exhaled air. Masks with a valve filter only the inhaled air and thus 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.

FFP2 masks are actually intended for single use. In the field of occupational safety, for example, they are disposed of 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 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. The mask must also 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 German 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 for a long period of time. For example, if you use the FFP2 mask on a Monday for shopping or public transportation, let the mask dry in room air (preferably hung in an airy place) for the next six days of the week. And when it is Monday again, exactly after one week, 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/grid 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).

The most important features of FFP2 masks to look for when buying 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 testing body monitors the quality of FFP2 masks. In the NANDO database, you can use the identification number to display the corresponding test center,
• Instructions for use in German.

The general decree of the Thuringian Ministry of Education for the areas of daycare, school, sports and youth education applies. For details, please refer to the overview pages of the Ministry of Education:

• Kita
• School
• Youth education
• Sports

Further information on daycare centers and schools can be found on the overview page of the Thuringian Ministry of Education.

Contact persons no longer have to be quarantined since May 2022. This also applies to (daycare) children and schoolchildren.

Information to parents

If positive SARS-CoV-19 cases occur at schools, the health department communicates directly with school administrators and advises on specific actions.

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

Dealing with quarantine notices

If quarantine is ordered for an entire class due to one or more positive Corona cases, the health department regulates this with a general order that applies to the entire class. In this case, there are no individual quarantine orders for the respective families. The reason for this is that individual orders mean an enormous administrative effort for the health office, which the colleagues cannot meet.

These general orders can be shown to employers to request lost wages for caregiver time during a quarantine. Contact persons can also show the general order as proof of early release testing from quarantine at the appropriate testing centers.

Universities are required to prepare a hygiene concept.

Further information is available on the websites of the universities:

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

• Compliance with the minimum distance
• Infection protection concept

Travel within Germany and abroad is possible. Please find out which regulations currently apply at your vacation 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 countries and regions by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

The German Federal Ministry of Health has also information for travelers.

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

High-risk area

A current list of high-risk areas can be found on the website of the Robert Koch Institute.

• 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 entry.Day with negative test proof):
• For children who have not yet reached the age of 6, the segregation ends after five days after entry (without test)

For more information on entry and quarantine requirements, visit the federal government website and view this PDF document.

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 finden entrepreneurs and employees can find helpful information on Corona bridging assistance, short-time working allowances and more.

Employees can find advice and information on the following websites:

• Corona: Labor law, home office, short-time allowance - What employees need to know. - DGB
• Corona crisis - Current information on receiving our benefits - Employment Agency
• Fact sheets for employees and employers - Protection against infection

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.

From 01.11.2021, when examining applications for compensation for loss of earnings in accordance with § 56 ff. IfSG, the provision of Section 56 (1) sentence 4 IfSG (vaccination clause) will be taken into account and applied as a consequence of theresolution of the Conference of Health Ministers of 22.09.2021.

The provision stipulates that the compensation payment is not granted if the activity ban or the quarantine order could have been avoided by taking advantage of a publicly recommended vaccination.

The Thuringian Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health, Women and Family already publicly recommended Covid-19 vaccination on December 18, 2020 (ThürStAnz. 2/2021 p. 12).

This means that for compensation periods after 01.11.2021, compensation for loss of earnings according to § 56 ff. IfSG will not be granted for the sole reason that, at the time of the activity ban or quarantine order, the person concerned - despite a sufficient supply of vaccine - did not make use of a vaccination and there was no medical contraindication or pregnancy.

In the context of the application ("application tool") onwww.ifsg-online.de, which is used exclusively in Thuringia for the application of compensation benefits, a corresponding query module is available from 01.11.2021, in which the question about the segregation despite vaccination or the convalescent status as well as about any contraindication/pregnancy is to be answered by the applicant. If there is no contraindication or pregnancy, a reasonable offer of vaccination is to be assumed as a rule, so that the provision of Section 56 (1) sentence 4 IfSG applies. In the event of a contraindication, the relevant medical evidence must be attached by upload.

According to § 26 para. 3 BDSG, employers are allowed to obtain information from employees about their vaccination status, insofar as this information is used to pursue claims according to §§ 56ff. IfSG are to be pursued. This also includes information on any reasons why vaccination protection against Covid-19 does not exist.

-> further information

You can find more 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. 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. If 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 bill 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.

Hotline

Our Corona hotline is open Monday to Friday 09:00 to 16:00: 0049 3641 49-2222. 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.

Please do not make inquiries at the health office

The Health Office receives test results from the laboratories and informs those tested of the results. Please refrain from making interim inquiries at the health office. Our colleagues are working at full speed, but cannot take every call. Thank you for your understanding.

As an infected person, please use this contact form.

As a contact person, please use this form.

Contact overview city administration

You can find out how to reach all areas of the city administration from 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 are looking forward to meeting you!

More and more employees of the city administration are working to cope with the Corona pandemic. Especially contact tracing and telephone services are being additionally managed. 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 Citizen Service or by telephone on 0049 3641 49-3714 make an appointment.

Take advantage of the option 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 at:

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

Federal Integration Commissioner

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 of Thuringia has also information about the coronavirus/ For further information in different languages see this website.

• Coronavirus / Covid-19 - Information for international students and visiting scientists as well as for the stay abroad
• Coronavirus - we provide information in several languages - Integration Commissioner of the Federal Government