“The fresh data shows that the more aggressive British variant of the coronavirus is spreading more seriously in Estonia than previously predicted. Our medical system is in a crisis,” said Kaja Kallas. “The situation is particularly critical in Tallinn and Northern Estonia where the hospitals’ ability to cope has come under tremendous pressure, but the situation is difficult all over Estonia. This is why the Government decided to enact further restrictions, the goal of which is to bring contacts between people down to a minimum. This is the only way to the come out of the crisis. How fast we manage to do that depends of the behaviour of each individual.”
THE 2+2 RULE WILL HAVE TO BE FOLLOWED OUTSIDE AS WELL
In order to stop the spread of the coronavirus, the 2+2 movement restriction will be enacted to moving around in public outdoor spaces, which means that up to two people may move around together, keeping a distance of 2 metres from others. The restriction does not apply to families and in situations where it cannot be observed.
EDUCATION
The Government is very strongly recommending that children are not taken to the kindergarten or child care unless it is urgently necessary. The Ministry of Education and Research is issuing guidelines on how to organise work in a pre-school child care facility as safely as possible.
Starting from March 11, students in grades 1 to 4 are not allowed to be in the school buildings anymore either, and those preparing for the basic school final exams and state exams will not be allowed to have contact learning. It is still foreseen that in emergency cases, primary school students may continue to spend time in school buildings and participate in activities organised there.
Taking into account the restrictions enacted to stop the spread of the coronavirus, spending time in school buildings is allowed to a student who needs educational support services, consultations in order to achieve learning results, participating in practical learning, or taking exams or tests.
SPORTS, TRAINING, YOUTH WORK, HOBBY ACTIVITIES, INFORMAL EDUCATION AND REFRESHER TRAINING
Starting from March 11, all indoor activities in the listed sectors are prohibited. The restriction does not extend to people with special needs and rehabilitation activities.
All outdoor hobby and informal education activities, refresher training, youth work, sports and training are only allowed if the 2+2 movement restriction is adhered to. This means that no more than 2 people can move around and do sports together (including an instructor), keeping a distance of at least 2 metres from others. The restrictions do not apply to the activities of people with special needs, including the provision of social and occupational rehabilitation services.
The restrictions on doing sports indoors and outdoors also do not extend to professional athletes, members of the national team, candidates of the national team. Neither do these restrictions extend to the activities related to the military defence and internal security of the state.
SPORTS COMPETITIONS, AND SPORTS AND EXERCISE EVENTS ARE PROHIBITED
Sports competitions continue to be allowed only for professionals but the sports competitions of the second national league will be prohibited. No more than 50 people may participate in sports competitions and sports and exercise events indoors, and no more than 100 people outdoors.
As it was previously, the restriction on exercise events continues to not apply to the activities of people with special needs and rehabilitation activities. Similarly to the current order, the restriction on sports competitions does not extend to professional athletes, members of the national team, candidates of the national team and the highest national leagues. The restrictions do not extent the activities related to the military defence and internal security of the state.
PUBLIC EVENTS, CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT, SPAS, POOLS, SAUNAS
Starting from March 11 it is also prohibited to carry out outdoor public events, and to be in places where entertainment services are provided, whether the venues have permanent or temporary seating. Spas, pools, saunas and swimming facilities must also be closed.
Only outdoor public meetings and public worship services can be held, the participants are limited to groups of up to 10 people. It is allowed to be at outdoor exhibition spaces of museums while following the 2+2 rule and it must be calculated that the occupancy of an area with an enclosed space is no more than 25%.
CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS
Catering establishments will only be allowed to sell food for takeaway.
STORES AND SHOPPING CENTRES
Starting from March 11, the stores must be closed. The restriction does not apply to grocery stores, pharmacies, stores that sell aid equipment and medical devices, the sales points of telecommunications enterprises, optical stores, pet stores and filling stations. It is not allowed to eat and drink on site at a filling station cafe.
The stores that will remain open have to take into account the requirement that the occupancy of their space cannot exceed 25%, and the 2+2 movement restriction.
In other cases, the only allowed forms of selling are the so-called selling from a window, where the goods will be issued to the customer without the customer entering an indoor sales space; drive-in type of selling and selling in outdoor spaces. The store keeper must ensure that the customers do not come into contact with each other.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Enterprises providing services may continue their activities but the occupancy requirement will become more stringent – the previous 50% maximum occupancy will be reduced to 25%. All rules intended to stop the spread of the coronavirus must be followed: the 2+2 rule, mask wearing, adhering to the disinfection requirements in accordance with the guidelines of the Health Board.
In addition to the restrictions, the Government strongly recommends avoiding contacts with other people, and if a meeting is urgently necessary, not holding it with more than six people at once.
Members of the Government also decided that, due to further restrictions, economic losses will continue to be compensated for sectors that have been the most affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
The cabinet meeting of the Government was also attended by Irja Lutsar, the Head of the Scientific Advisory Board counselling the Government, Urmas Sule, the medical chief of the emergency situation, and Üllar Lanno, the director general of the Health Board.
Tomorrow, the Government plans to approve the order regarding the restrictions at an extraordinary meeting. The Government Communication Unit will issue a separate press release, publish the order and the explanatory memorandum on the web page kriis.ee