Soldiers of the Bundeswehr bid farewell

The city council held a small ceremony today to bid farewell to 30 soldiers from Jena. They were deployed as part of the response to the coronavirus pandemic. Since October 26, 2020, more than 100 members of the troops have performed various tasks in Jena. They provided support in five nursing homes, helped the swabbing teams and assisted with contact tracing at the public health department.

The deployment of 20 members to the Käthe Kollwitz Home ended today. Five contact tracers and two swabbing teams, each with a paramedic, can also return home. These positions will be filled with new soldiers. The deployment period is scheduled until mid-April 2021. Depending on the situation, this period may be extended.

Lord Mayor Thomas Nitzsche thanked the comrades. "Without the Bundeswehr, the contact tracing situation would have gotten out of control, especially in the retirement homes. The services were and are irreplaceable."

As head of the Jena crisis team, Benjamin Koppe stated: "The reputation of the Bundeswehr has increased significantly in the population and the city. Hostilities against the members of the troops have no place in Jena."

Mayor Christian Gerlitz established contact with the troops back in March 2020. "The relationship was excellent right from the start. The Bundeswehr is a flexible and reliable partner for Jena."

For the health department, Dr. Sabine Trommer described the close connection to the helpers: "The certainty that 'our Bundis' are there is a motivation for all colleagues in their daily work."

Liaison officer Björn Pinther summarized his impressions of the last few months: "As an officer of the Bundeswehr, I am impressed by the achievements of my comrades, and as a citizen of the city of Jena, I say: Thank you!"