In order to better manage the coronavirus crisis, members of the government considered it necessary to set up a governance structure within the Government Office which, in cooperation with governmental authorities, will strategically manage the situation with COVID-19, plan and coordinate measures and transnational forecasting, assess the impact of measures, prepare government legislation and provide binding interpretations, and plan and implement communication.
The Ministry of Education and Research will continue to implement the crisis exit plan and preparations for autumn. Activities in this area include, among other things, the planning of measures to support ventilation and air quality improvement, the organisation of vaccinations for school families, the continuation of research, and the preparation of guidelines for the beginning of the school year. An amendment to the law is also being prepared to regulate distance learning and examination organisation issues.
Supporting mental health is also considered important. The Ministry of Social Affairs will prepare an expert opinion and action plan by the end of September to mitigate the mental health effects of the coronavirus crisis.
Among the lessons learned, the design of support measures for entrepreneurs was also highlighted. By the end of the summer, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, in co-operation with Enterprise Estonia and sectoral associations, will review the current conditions and prepare descriptions of support measures for entrepreneurs by mid-September.
The use of the EU digital certificate and rapid antigen tests will continue to be developed to make it possible to organise events and activities and provide services. In cooperation with the ministries, flexible solutions must be found for them so that people can participate in activities and use services safely.
Work will also continue on the organisation of vaccine procurement, vaccination and testing, sequencing, research, and the isolation and surveillance of infected people and close contacts of a person diagnosed with COVID-19. Activities related to the monitoring of COVID-19 measures, ensuring law and order, and border control will also continue. The crisis hotline 1247, launched at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, will also be operational.