New regulations on the opening hours of outdoor areas

The catering industry is subject to restrictions due to the legal measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Among other things, these have resulted in a reduction in the number of guests. We have decided to shorten the closing time in order to meet the economic interests of restaurant operators on the one hand and the interests of guests in visiting restaurants on the other,

said Benjamin Koppe, Head of Finance and Security.

The period of the shortened closing time is based on that of the Kulturarena, which unfortunately has to be canceled this year. According to the previous curfew ordinance, the start of the curfew for the respective cultural arena was set at midnight.

The ordinance is published via an advertisement in the local press and in the official gazette of the city of Jena. This publication should have taken place earlier so that the change could come into force on July 15.

Even though the ordinance would only allow the closing time to be shortened from Thursday, publicans in Jena are permitted to extend their opening hours on Wednesday. Restaurants should not be prevented from serving their guests until midnight from July 15 due to a minor error in the administrative process,

concluded Koppe.

Here are the options for restaurants:

There are no time restrictions for indoor gastronomy.
For outdoor catering in the city center (Löbder-, Teich-, Leutra- and Fürstengraben (historic Grabenring), for the streets and squares Engelplatz, Schillergäßchen, Neugasse, Grietgasse, Holzmarkt, Bachstraße, Krautgasse, Wagnergasse, Johannisplatz as well as for areas directly adjacent to these streets, this applies until August 23, 2020:
- The start of the closing time is set at midnight for the nights from Sunday to Monday, Monday to Tuesday, Tuesday to Wednesday, Wednesday to Thursday and Thursday to Friday. (After 23.08.2020 again 23.00 o'clock)
- On the nights from Friday to Saturday and Saturday to Sunday, the statutory closing time according to § 5 para. 2 no. 3 Thuringian Hospitality Act applies - this is 1.00 a.m.
For outdoor music events and in marquees in the open air, the limit of 10 p.m. continues to apply (regardless of current Corona regulations)