Federal emergency brake - What applies in Jena?

With the new Infection Protection Act published today (23.04.2021) in the Federal Gazette, the so-called Federal Emergency Brake, uniform regulations based on incidence values now apply throughout Germany. Since the incidence figures published daily by the Robert Koch Institute are now used as the basis for the figures, the city of Jena will now also switch to this value when publishing the daily corona figures. Previously, the incidence value was calculated on the basis of the Jena reporting register.

Mechanics for changes to measures

The Federal Emergency Brake Act provides for three main thresholds for incidence values and corresponding packages of measures: 100, 150 and 165. If a threshold is exceeded on three subsequent days, the respective measures come into force on the day after next (i.e. day 5). If thresholds are undercut for five days, new measures take effect on the day after next (i.e. day 7).

The current incidence in Jena is 134.7 (as of 22.4.2021) (comparative values for the last two days: 142.8 / 149.1)

The regulations at a glance

The following measures are currently anchored in the new Infection Protection Act

• Measures from incidence 100

Curfew

People are not allowed to leave the house between 10 pm and 5 am. Exceptions are only possible for valid reasons, e.g. for work or in emergencies. Walks and sports are only possible until midnight.

Contact restrictions

One household and one other person may meet. Children under the age of 14 do not count.

Schools

All general and vocational schools are subject to alternating lessons. This also applies to elementary school.

Attendance at schoolis only permitted for people who use the self-tests offered twice a week. This applies to all pupils and staff and applies regardless of the incidence value. If the tests are not carried out in the schools, a certificate of a Corona rapid test from one of the Jena rapid test centers can be presented as an alternative. This certificate must not be older than 48 hours.

Trade

Stores may open for appointment purchases and customers must present a negative rapid test to enter; contact tracing must be possible; a maximum of 1 customer per 40 square meters may enter a store.

Compared to the previous Thuringian state ordinance, this regulation is now much more relaxed. Retailers should weigh up the costs and benefits carefully, especially in view of the increasing incidence.

Public convenience stores (e.g. supermarkets, drugstores) are exempt from this regulation.

Body-related services

Are not permitted; exception: medical-therapeutic areas as well as hairdressers and chiropodists. These can be used with FFP2 masks (or masks with equivalent protection) and a negative rapid test.

Local public transport

Passengers must wear an FFP2 mask.

Sport

Non-contact individual sports alone, in pairs or with people from your own household outdoors are permitted; max. with five children

Leisure and cultural facilities

May not open; zoos and botanical gardens may remain open. Visitors need a negative corona test.

Care

No changes to previous measures have been decided for the care sector.

Restaurants

are closed; pick-up and delivery services are permitted. Staff restaurants and non-public canteens can remain open.

• Measures from incidence 150

Trade

Only the collection of ordered goods is still permitted (Click & Collect).

This excludes stores for public use (e.g. supermarkets, drugstores).

• Measures from incidence 165

Schools and daycare centers

Schools and daycare centers switch to distance learning or close the facilities. Emergency care is set up for pupils in grades 1-6 and children in daycare centers.

There are exceptions for special schools, special needs pupils or graduating classes. According to the Thuringian Ministry of Education, graduating classes include the 4th grade, the 9th and 10th grades as well as classes in the introductory and qualification phase for obtaining the general higher education entrance qualification. At vocational schools, these are the classes in the final year of training and classes in which final examinations take place, as well as grades 12 and 13 at vocational grammar schools.