NordenBladet — Today the Government supported the proposal made by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Mr Taavi Aas to suspend air traffic between Estonia and the United Kingdom from midnight tonight until the end of this year in connection with information about the new strain of coronavirus spreading in the UK.
The restriction is established by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure.
As of December 20, due to the spread of the coronavirus and the discovery of a new strain, the United Kingdom has established additional restrictions. According to the information available to the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs, several countries, including Latvia, have already suspended, or are considering suspending the transport of air passengers with the United Kingdom. In addition, countries are considering additional isolation measures for passengers arriving from the United Kingdom.
“The Government agreed that it was necessary to take precautionary measures and temporarily suspend air traffic with the UK until the new year, along with other countries. The decision was made to protect the health of our people. The recommendation to avoid travelling abroad during the Christmas holidays and during the school breaks still applies – trips abroad should be postponed due to the continued high spread of coronavirus in other countries as well,” said Prime Minister Mr Jüri Ratas.
“The restriction on the transport of air passengers between Estonia and the United Kingdom is temporary and the government will review it as soon as we have more information about the new strain of coronavirus,” added the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Mr Taavi Aas.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications will provide more information about the restriction of air traffic.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is constantly monitoring the situation. If Estonian citizens encounter problems returning home, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requests contacting the consular assistance emergency phone +372 53 01 9999 (24 h).
Additional information about the spread of the virus in other countries can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.