Jena schools: City steps in to provide rapid coronavirus tests

The Jena fire department is currently delivering around 3,000 rapid coronavirus tests to Jener Schulen. These are needed for regular checks for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In addition, these tests are also the prerequisite for sports and leisure activities for many pupils.

Following a survey by the education department, eight schools had registered a need, as the state of Thuringia will only be able to provide tests again after the vacations. The Jena crisis team has therefore released the necessary funds.

Jena's mayor Christian Gerlitz on this situation:

"Far too late, the Ministry of Education has relented and made the provision of tests in schools mandatory again. Just a few weeks ago, Jena did not even allow us to use our own funds to ensure a nationwide voluntary testing program in schools, even though a large proportion of Jena's schools were already affected by cases of infection. And even now, actually far too late, as it would once again be the sole responsibility of the Free State to provide schools with tests according to the general decree of the Ministry of Education, things are once again stuck. We will of course help Jena's schools to ensure that school and after-school care facilities can operate as safely as possible before and during the fall vacations. But of course we are concerned because such support will probably not be possible so quickly in all Thuringian cities and districts."