Jena continues to finance testing in daycare centers and schools

The state of Thuringia will discontinue testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus in childcare facilities from August 1, 2021. As a result, there is a risk that this important preventative measure will no longer be funded. In the current pandemic situation, the city of Jena still sees an urgent need to continue the testing strategy in order to guarantee the safety of the children, their families and, of course, the staff in the facilities in the best possible way.

Due to the incomprehensible decision of the Thuringian Ministry of Culture, the crisis team of the City of Jena has decided to seamlessly continue testing (twice a week) in all Jena facilities.

Ordering and distribution will take place as usual, the facility managers have already been informed.

Mayor Christian Gerlitz explained this step: "It must continue to be our common goal that the daycare centers and vacation care can remain open. This can only be achieved with a consistent and safe testing strategy. We repeatedly call on Education Minister Helmut Holter to reconsider his decision and resume testing.

Head of Finance Benjamin Koppe, who also heads the Jena pandemic team, adds: "The costs will be covered by the city of Jena. Especially in view of the travel season and the increasing number of people returning from vacation, the tests in Jena's kindergartens will make an important contribution to protecting against infection. The crisis team has made a clear decision in favor of stable and safe childcare."

Koppe suspects that the state is reducing the number of tests offered in the facilities due to financial considerations and is deliberately accepting the risk of undetected infections.

Update: We have changed the message, the test offer from the state of Thuringia has been extended for schools (after-school care and vacation offers) /Your Lichtstadt team