Jena responds to dramatic rise in infection figures with general decrees

On Saturday, the city of Jena issued two general decrees. This is in response tothe 7-day incidence of 200 being exceeded and the high incidence of infection in schools.

The first decree regulates the immediate suspension of face-to-face teaching. Monday can still be used for the preparation and organization of distance learning. In addition, schools must organize emergency care, especially for grades 1-6, and attendance for examinations is still possible.

Following the original request for distance learning at the schools and the objection to this by the Ministry of Education, a general decree was sent to the responsible state authorities - in order to take a clear path - as in the Sonneberg district, who did not reject the letter. On Saturday evening, after the deadline had expired, the head of the department, Eberhard Hertzsch, immediately informed the school principals and published the decrees. As the situation was urgent, this course of action was taken. The changeover to home schooling announced on Friday therefore remains in place.

The crisis team expressly apologizes for the confusion and inconvenience caused to principals and parents. Following the dramatic development in the number of infections, action had to be taken quickly. Many positive reactions from schools and messages from the public about the plans to close schools provided support for the decision to distance learning.

A second general decree with further extracurricular measures is in the works and will be published on Sunday.

Benjamin Koppe, head of the Jena crisis team, points out the urgency of the measures taken:

'The rapid rise in new infections in Jena does not allow any leeway in terms of time.The ability of medical care to act must be maintained. However, Thuringia's special approach to dealing with the pandemic has failed. Early countermeasures could have prevented the seven-day incidence in the state from exceeding the 200 mark. Instead, the state government apparently feels unable to react prudently and responsibly. Possible countermeasures are being taken too late, if at all, contrary to all warnings.