Violations of the pandemic rules will not be tolerated

Calls are currently circulating in closed social media groups to oppose the ordered closures of retail stores on Saturday, February 13. The hashtag #wirmachenauf is being used to promote support for the campaign and store owners are being encouraged to open their stores to the public.

Furthermore, a call will be made to demand the key in front of town halls on Rose Monday and to organize costumed walks.

The city of Jena makes it clear: All violations of the Corona regulations will be prosecuted and reported. The right to freedom of expression and the freedom to demonstrate will continue to be respected and safeguarded. However, all violations of the Corona regulations will be prosecuted and reported. Both the political actors and the employees of the administration are aware of the hardships of the current measures. However, violations of the law without solidarity will not be tolerated.

Hannes Wolf, Jena City Manager, comments: "There is a very understandable and growing frustration among businesses affected by the lockdown. But I can't imagine that Jena tradespeople will take part in 'wirmachenauf'. This form of protest is not in keeping with the nature of serious entrepreneurs, who not only have a responsibility to themselves and their employees, but also to society. One can of course criticize the measures taken by the legislature. But it is not just any legislature, it is our legislature - a part of our society in which we all live.
The way forward for our association continues to be a debate about easing restrictions, which must also intensify as the pandemic subsides. Any dissatisfied entrepreneur also has the right to take legal action. Other approaches lead to dead ends!"

Ronny Geitner from the Jena Carnival Gala Association also clarifies: "Firstly, we already have the key, and secondly, we carnivalists would never take part in such an action."