NordenBladet — How can digitalisation best serve the work against climate change? What should be done to reduce the ICT sector’s emissions? The final report of the working group on a climate and environment strategy for the ICT sector will be published on 30 November 2020.
ICT can deliver substantial environmental benefits by replacing products with services and through telecommuting. On the other hand, communication networks, data centres and smart devices consume electricity and materials.
On Monday, 30 November starting at 9.30, the Ministry of Transport and Communications will organise a webinar, where the working group’s recommendations for controlling the climate impacts and promoting the positive impacts in the ICT sector will be published. It is internationally pioneering work, and the report presents a vision of Finland as a leader in the use and development of sustainable ICT solutions.
Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka will also give an address. Google’s European Energy Markets Lead Brian Denvir and Head of Environment at Nokia Pia Tanskanen will give presentations on how these companies have improved energy efficiency and increased the use of carbon-free electricity sources. Professor at the University of Helsinki Petri Myllymäki will speak about a study on the energy efficiency of machine learning.
Electric power consumption is the principal cause of greenhouse gas emissions in the ICT sector, which uses 4-10 per cent of the world’s electricity and generates 1.5-5 per cent of its greenhouse gas emissions, according to various estimates. On the other hand, the ICT sector has great potential to reduce the carbon footprint of other sectors. One example of this is the optimisation of industrial processes.
Next steps
The final report will be sent out for comments on 30 November 2020. After that Finland’s first climate and environment strategy for the ICT sector will be finalised at the Ministry of Transport of Transport and Communications.
The webinar can be viewed on Monday, 30 November 2020 at 9.30-11.30 via the following link: https://lvm.videosync.fi/ict-alan-ilmasto-ymparistostrategia
NordenBladet — More and more false and harmful information is deliberately disseminated especially in electronic information networks. The intentions behind dissemination of disinformation are varied: to undermine faith in democratic institutions, to sow discord between population groups, to put blame on and discriminate against minorities, to silence researchers and journalists, to win elections, and to gain personal or economic benefit. Unfortunately, the list is long and expanding.
The Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) is a partnership of governments that are committed to the promotion of an open and safe internet. A Joint Statement on the dissemination of disinformation and human rights, prepared under the leadership of Finland and the United Kingdom, was published in november 2020. “The FOC aims to fight the use of disinformation in order to erode human rights, democracy and the rule of law,” says Ambassador for Human Rights Rauno Merisaari, who has been among those responsible for the preparation of the Joint Statement.
Collaboration as a way to best results
The Joint Statement underlines that, in their fight against disinformation, governments should not only refrain from becoming guilty of disseminating disinformation but also respect human rights norms. Businesses operating in online communications and social media platforms have a special responsibility in this respect. From the point of view of freedom of expression, removing online content is not a straightforward matter; distorting information is not criminal as such, but may cause great damage. The best way to reach results in the fight against disinformation is to collaboration between governments, companies, organisations and researchers.
“Matters relating to fight against disinformation and cyber security issues will be on the agenda also next year, when Finland will chair the FOC,” says Janette Sorsimo, who is responsible for the preparations for Finland’s Coalition Chair year. Finland has expertise in identifying cross-border disinformation activity as well as in digital and media literacy. The Freedom Online Coalition is a human-rights organisation of 32 member governments, which promotes free, open and safe internet. The FOC creates global norms, exercises influence on global forums, and raises awareness of the objectives relating to human rights online. Finland will serve as the Coalition Chair in 2021. Finland will focus on equality and development, the impacts of artificial intelligence, and challenges related to authoritarian regimes.
NordenBladet — Finna.fi search services, which brings together Finnish cultural and scientific material, now offers new opportunities for learning. Educational resources are available for use openly and free of charge. Finna is funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
The millions of treasures on Finna.fi now include open educational resources. Anyone can use these to increase their knowledge of artificial intelligence or the development of working life, or to improve their language skills. The educational resources are freely available for use. Users can utilise them for improving their own skills, in studies or in the work of a teacher. Much of the material can be edited for personal needs.
– The availability of pedagogically produced information, independently from time and place, is increasingly more important as people develop their own competencies. The open study material serves all those thirsting for knowledge and meet the needs of continuous learning, says Special Adviser Tomi Kytölä from the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Educational resources are produced by individual teachers and members of projects financed with public funds. The material is collected in Finna from the continuously supplemented Library of Open Educational Resources, the service used for sharing and storing the material.
Searches are easy Users can search for educational resources in two ways. They can be browsed on a specific tab that includes diverse features for narrowing your search. Searches can be directed according to all levels and subjects of education, degrees and qualifications or fields of science.The study material can also be found with a search on the front page, which displays the full offering of Finna.fi at the same time.
Finna is an even more comprehensive learning service than before
As a search service, Finna includes an abundance of material for learning and teaching.The service can be used to study university theses and scientific articles available online. The search also helps users find plenty of historical material, such as videos and freely available photographs and maps. People interested in literature can check the availability of books at various libraries in one go.Teachers have already been able to use the Finna Classroom service aimed at comprehensive schools and upper secondary schools. Material packages in Classroom are based on a selection of museums and archives, as well as pedagogic assignments prepared by teachers.Educational resources and other material can be taken into use in different learning services, such as learning platforms, by utilising Finna’s interfaces.
Further information:
– Head of Development Erkki Tolonen, National Library of Finland, erkki.tolonen(at)helsinki.fi, tel. +358 29 414 4588
– Special Adviser Tomi Kytölä, Ministry of Education and Culture, tomi.kytola(at)minedu.fi, tel. +358 295 330 293
What is Finna.fi?
Home to cultural and scientific material in Finland.A comprehensive learning service.
Opened in 2014.Developed by the National Library of Finland together with 400 Finnish operators.
There are 16.5 million material items of which 2.1 million are available online.In addition to the nationwide Finna.fi service, there are 85 other search services of different archives, libraries and museums available.
NordenBladet — International community renews its long-term commitment to the people of Afghanistan with significant pledges at the conference. Afghanistan and international partners commit to shared development objectives for 2021–2024, and adopt a communique calling for an end to the war and a durable peace, stability and prosperity.
The 2020 Afghanistan Conference provided a strong expression of the international community’s enduring commitment to Afghanistan for the critical period ahead up to 2024. The donors pledged at least US$ 3.3 billion for the first year of the upcoming quadrennial, with annual commitments expected to stay at the same level year-on-year.
Afghanistan’s development partners remain firmly committed to backing Afghanistan through to 2024. All development assistance will be subject to annual joint review processes by the government and international partners with donors continuing to exercise their right to decide upon the level and modality of their annual financial support.
“We, the Afghans, want an end to the violence and are committed to finding a political settlement that can not only bring an end to the suffering of the Afghan people but strengthen, safeguard and preserve the gains of the past 19 years,” said Abul Hadi Arghandiwal, Minister of Finance. “Today’s conference must represent our solidarity in which our international donors and development partners can take decisive steps in continuing to support Afghanistan and its people.
”The renewal of international support comes at a pivotal moment with unprecedented Afghanistan Peace Negotiations ongoing, a dynamic security setting and humanitarian needs peaking as winter sets in and the threat of COVID-19 remains. The pledges are made as Afghanistan enters the final four-year cycle of its Transformation Decade.
“The challenges Afghanistan faces are truly daunting. But the tremendous commitment shown at the conference by international partners to Afghanistan’s development provides real hope for a better tomorrow,” said Deborah Lyons, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan. “The Geneva conference can be seen as mutually reinforcing with the historic Peace Negotiations in Doha – together they can provide solid foundations for peace and prosperity.”
“The significant pledges made at the 2020 Afghanistan Conference, despite a difficult year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, show that the international community continues to stand firmly with the Afghan people at this crucial time,” said Ville Skinnari, Finland’s Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade.
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, supported by its international partners, is committed to preserving and expanding on the economic, social, political and development gains that have been since 2002. Democracy, human rights -including those of women, children and minorities- are fundamental issues to be protected and further developed. Participants emphasized the need to address key challenges such as poverty reduction, institution building, good governance, anti-corruption and private sector development.
International partners welcomed the second version of the Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework which provides the Afghan government’s vision, strategy and plan for the next five years (2021-25). Afghanistan and the international community have entered a new phase of cooperation, as articulated in the Afghanistan Partnership Framework, marked by conditionality and enhanced joint review mechanisms to ensure results and impact for the people of Afghanistan.
The conference adopted a communique calling for an immediate, permanent and comprehensive ceasefire. Partners also called for a meaningful peace process with the participation of women and youth, as well as ethnic, religious and other minorities. The communique establishes a renewed partnership to strengthen a sovereign, unified, democratic and peaceful Afghanistan on its path towards prosperity and self-reliance for the benefit of all Afghans.
“The Conference echoes the demand of the Afghan people for an immediate ceasefire and a lasting peace that they deserve – these demands must not be failed,” said Pekka Haavisto, Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Around 70 countries and more than 30 international organizations, along with Afghan Government officials and civil society representatives participated in the 2020 Afghanistan Conference. The Conference was jointly organized by the governments of Afghanistan and Finland with the United Nations. Given the serious risks posed by COVID-19, all participants took part in the proceedings virtually, with the co-chairs located in the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva.
NordenBladet —At an e-session, the government approved additional restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus SARS-Cov-2, agreed on Friday to protect the health and lives of the Estonian people and prevent overloading the medical system. The order will enter into force today, 24 November. Restrictions on indoor public meetings, events, and entertainment with stationary seating will take effect on Saturday, 28 November. The restrictions are reviewed every two weeks.
According to Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, the spread of infection in Estonia remains high and the coronavirus threatens us everywhere. “Without additional restrictions, the healthcare system may become overburdened. The normal coping of other areas is also in danger,” he stated. “The purpose of the restrictions is to keep life in Estonia as normal as possible. How long we can do this depends on everyone’s behaviour, that is, how seriously we comply with the restrictions that are designed to protect our normal lives.” The Prime Minister added that the government therefore does not impose any absolute restrictions or completely close any institutions.
Both the Health Board and the scientists advising the government support the new restrictions.
Restrictions imposed all over Estonia
Obligation to wear a mask or to cover one’s nose and mouth in public indoor spaces
An obligation to wear a mask or to cover one’s nose and mouth is introduced in public indoor spaces, including public transport and service points.
This obligation does not apply to children under the age of 12 or if wearing a mask is not possible for health reasons, special needs, the nature of work or activity, or other important reasons.
A public indoor space is a space intended for public use that can be entered by anyone, regardless of the pre-registration requirement, for example; it is a place with many people who do not come into contact with each other on a daily basis. A public transport vehicle is also considered a public indoor space.
The 2 + 2 rule extends to all public indoor spaces
The so-called 2 + 2 rule must be followed everywhere in public indoor spaces, which means that up to two people can move together but keep a distance of two metres from other people.
Among other places, this applies, for example, in a bank office, museum, exhibitions, hairdressing and beauty salons, but also in water centres, swimming pools, and saunas. The restriction does not apply to families or when it cannot be reasonably ensured; for example, in public transport vehicles with many passengers. There, in addition to keeping the maximum possible distance, a mask must be worn.
The current 10 + 2 rule will continue to apply in catering establishments and places where entertainment services are provided. The rule means that a group may include up to 10 people, but they have to keep a distance of two metres from others. These restrictions do not apply to families and also in cases where this condition cannot be reasonably guaranteed.
Public events and meetings, culture and entertainment, churches
From 28 November, a lower maximum number for participants in public events will apply. Up to 400 people can take part in an indoors public event with stationary seating; otherwise, up to 250 people are allowed. For outdoor events, the maximum number of participants is 500. The maximum number of participants does not apply in children’s playrooms.
In addition, people may move outside the stationary seating area by following the so-called 2 + 2 rule instead of in groups of 10. This means that in common areas, such as wardrobes, lobbies, etc., up to 2 people can move together and keep a distance of 2 metres from the others. These restrictions do not apply to families and also in cases where this condition cannot be reasonably guaranteed.
Due to the national obligation, masks must also be worn in these public indoor spaces, subject to the exceptions mentioned above.
The restriction will come into force later than other measures, so that performing arts institutions and other event organisers in places with stationary seats can make the necessary preparations for the implementation of the order.
Public transport
Masks must be worn or one’s nose and mouth must be covered. If possible, distance of two metres from other people must be kept.
Indoor sports
Up to two spectators may move together at public sporting events, keeping a distance of at least two metres from other, except for families or where such conditions cannot reasonably be guaranteed.
The organiser must ensure compliance with the 50% occupancy rule and make sure that the maximum number of participants in a sporting event is 250 people.
Spectators must wear a mask indoors. The obligation to wear a mask does not apply to children under the age of 12 or if it is not possible to wear a mask due to health reasons, special needs, or the nature of work and activity.
The conditions do not apply to early childhood education and care, basic, and secondary education activities.
The 50% occupancy requirement and 250 people limit do not apply to professional and semi-professional sports activities carried out in the sports systems of sports governing bodies. In addition to adults, they also do not apply to youth sports, i.e. athletes and teams who participate in Estonian title competitions organised by sports governing bodies.
Sports competitions
The organiser of sports competitions must ensure the dispersion of people and compliance with the 50% occupancy requirement indoors. The maximum number of participants in the event may not exceed 250 people indoors and no more than 500 people outdoors. Spectators must wear a mask indoors.
RESTRICTIONS IN HARJU COUNTY AND IDA VIRU COUNTY
Public events and meetings, culture and entertainment, churches
From 28 November, there will be a 50% occupancy limit in indoor halls with stationary seating, such as theatres, cinemas, concert venues as well churches, and public events, public meetings, and entertainment activities.
Due to the national restriction, a mask must be worn or one’s nose and mouth must be covered anywhere in these places (all of the above exceptions apply).
The maximum number of participants in indoor places with stationary seating is 400; elsewhere else, it is 250. For outdoor events, the maximum number is 500. The restriction does not apply in children’s playrooms.
People may move outside the stationary seating area by following the so-called 2 + 2 rule instead of in groups of 10.
Due to the national restriction, masks must also be worn in these public indoor spaces, subject to the exceptions mentioned above.
The restriction will come into force later than other measures, so that performing arts institutions and other event organisers in places with stationary seats can make the necessary preparations for implementing the order.
Hobby education and activities and indoor refresher training and refresher courses
There is a limit on groups – they can consist of up to 10 people. The organiser must ensure that the different groups do not come into contact with each other.
The organisation of any of the above activities must also take into account the national restriction on wearing a mask or covering one’s nose and mouth, which does not apply to children under the age of 12 and which is subject to all exceptions provided for above, including where the wearing of a mask is not possible due to the nature of the work and the activity.
Shared items must be disinfected after each use; the service provider must ensure the availability of disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection requirements in accordance with the instructions of the Health Board.
None of these restrictions applies to the provision of refresher training and refresher courses related to the country’s military defence to ensure the implementation of the planned training cycle of members of the Defence Forces, the Defence League district, and foreign units in Estonia within the framework of military cooperation. The restriction also does not extend to activities in the field of internal security.
Indoor sports
Group training can be performed in groups of 10 people. For example, this applies to indoor fitness classes and other similar training activities. The restriction does not apply to professional and semi-professional sports under the auspices of sports governing bodies, including youth sports and extracurricular sports activities. The different groups must not come into contact with each other.
Up to two spectators may move together at indoor sporting or exercise events, keeping a distance of at least two metres from the others. The restriction does not apply to families or in situations where it is not reasonably possible to comply with it.
Due to the national restriction, spectators must wear a mask or cover their nose and mouth indoors. Here, too, all the exceptions related to wearing a mask apply.
The 50% occupancy requirement and the limit of 250 people do not apply to professional and semi-professional sports activities in the sports system of sports governing bodies. They also do not apply to youth sports and athletes and teams who participate in Estonian title competitions organised by sports governing bodies.
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The regulation of distance learning in schools in Harju County and Ida-Viru County is being designed by the Health Board together with the Ministry of Education and Research.
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If the restrictions on preventing the spread of the virus are not complied with, the state has the right to apply administrative coercive measures. The maximum amount of the penalty payment is 9,600 euros, which can be imposed repeatedly. The purpose of the penalty payment is to oblige people to properly comply with the requirements and restrictions established in the order.
The Government Communication Unit publishes the order and the explanatory memorandum on the website kriis.ee.
NordenBladet — The United Nations has designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The day begins an annual international campaign called 16 Days of Activism, which draws attention to this important human rights violation. During the day, well-known buildings around the world will be illuminated in orange – the colour chosen to symbolise the day. For the first time this year, the Government Palace will be lit up in orange too.
Violence against women is a significant problem in Finland too. The Government Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government is committed to reducing violence against women. As agreed in the Programme, a new programme for combating violence against women was published in October.
A survey made by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) reveals that one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence since the age of 15. In Europe, this means 62 million women.
Finland promotes wide ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women (Istanbul Convention). Finland supports the accession of the European Union to the Convention.
The Government Palace will be illuminated orange from Tuesday 24 November at 18.00 until Thursday 26 November at 9.00.
NordenBladet — Restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses in the region of Uusimaa will be subject to tighter restrictions than the other regions in Finland. The government decree on the matter will enter into force on 26 November at 00.00.The decree will address the activities of night cafes by restricting their opening hours. In future, food and beverage service businesses could, after closing, reopen their doors at 5.00 at the earliest and stay open until 23.00. The restrictions on opening hours would not, however, apply to food and beverage service businesses operating in connection with service stations.
All food and beverage service businesses in Uusimaa must stop serving alcohol by 22.00 as before. The number of customer seats in restaurants that primarily serve alcoholic beverages will continue to be restricted to half the normal total. Restaurants serving food would be allowed to seat 75 per cent of their normal number of customers.
Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in regions in acceleration phase remain unchanged
The restrictions on food and beverage service businesses operating in Southwest Finland, Pirkanmaa, Kanta-Häme and Ostrobothnia will remain unchanged as from 26 November. All food and beverage service businesses in these regions will be allowed to serve alcohol between 7.00 and 22.00. Restaurants that primarily serve alcoholic beverages may be open between 24 and 23, and they will be allowed to seat half of their normal number of customers. Other restaurants may be open between 01.00 and 24.00 and seat 75 per cent of their normal number of customers.The number of customer seats will not be limited in regions where the epidemic is at a stable level. All food and beverage service businesses will be allowed to serve alcohol between 7.00 and 24.00. Restaurants that primarily serve alcoholic beverages may be open between 2.00 and 1.00. The opening hours of other restaurants will not be restricted.The restrictions will remain in force only for as long as it is necessary, but no longer than until 15 December 2020.
Restrictions are based on regions’ own assessment of their epidemiological situation
To curb the spread of COVID-19, the activities of food and beverage services businesses will be restricted depending on the epidemiological situation in the region. The epidemiological situation is determined on the basis of the assessments made by regional cooperation groups and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. The aim of the restrictions to be imposed based on the epidemiological situation in the region is to reduce people’s social contacts in premises and situations where the COVID-19 disease is known to spread effectively.
Provisions on the restrictions on the activities of food and beverage service businesses are laid down in section 58a of the Communicable Diseases Act. This temporary section will remain in force until 28 February 2021. Further provisions on restrictions are issued by government decree. They lay down provisions on the restrictions concerning the opening and licencing hours of food and beverage service businesses by region and type of restaurant.
NordenBladet — A total of two Bills were at the first reading.
The Bill on Amendments to the Land Tax Act and the Taxation Act (285 SE), initiated by the Government.
The Bill will establish the basis for the transfer of the land tax information system from the Land Board to the Tax and Customs Board and will solve the problem that has arisen in practice where it is impossible to issue a land tax notice to successors of land who have not re-registered the right of ownership of land in the land register. In addition, the Land Tax Act will be brought into conformity with the State Assets Act according to which the responsibility to pay the taxes related to the assets lies with the user of the state assets. The Bill will specify the right of the Tax and Customs Board to forward information on the tax liability of a taxable person to a rural municipality or city government as necessary.
The Tax and Customs Board is the land tax administrator. It calculates the payable land tax amount based on the underlying data submitted by a local authority through the land tax information system. At present, the Ministry of Finance is the controller of the land tax information system, and the Land Board is the processor. As the Tax and Customs Board is the land tax administrator, the land tax information system should be located in the Tax and Customs Board and not in the Land Board and it should be integrated with the application established for the calculation of land tax. The amendment supports the implementation of the governance reform, as it will organise the current systems, will help avoid duplication and will make local governments’ tasks relating to land tax simpler, more functional, more transparent and more convenient.
A problem that has arisen in practice will also be solved. At present, it is possible for successors to avoid payment of land tax if the right of ownership of land has been transferred to them in the course of succession but they have not submitted an application to amend the entry for the owner in the land register to the registrar of the land register. In order to avoid such a situation, in the future, it would also be possible for the Tax and Customs Board to issue a land tax notice to the successor of land to whom the right of ownership of land has transferred according to the succession register.
The Bill on Amendments to the Act on the Ratification of the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (286 SE), initiated by the Government.
The Bill will correct some technical errors in the Act. The amendment will bring the Estonian text of the ratification Act into conformity with the original English text of the notifications and reservations.
The Bill will amend the data on the agreement with Belarus in the table of the agreements for the avoidance of double taxation in respect of which Estonia wishes to apply the convention. Under another amendment, the Act will be amended by including a notification according to which Estonia will begin to apply the convention in respect of the taxes covered by tax treaties from the beginning of a calendar year.
The convention was ratified in the Riigikogu on 4 December 2019 but it has not yet entered into force for Estonia. After the entry into force of the amendments, Estonia will be able to submit its instrument of ratification to the depositary of the convention and the convention will be able to enter into force for Estonia. The Convention will enter into force for Estonia on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after the date of the deposit of its instrument of ratification.
Minister of Finance Martin Helme replied to the interpellation concerning the activities of Enefit Green Ltd, subsidiary of Eesti Energia Ltd (No. 44), submitted by members of the Riigikogu.
During the open microphone, Kristina Šmigun-Vähi took the floor.
NordenBladet —Members of the Government consider it necessary for the State to distribute masks to the least privileged. For this, two reusable masks are intended to be allocated to recipients of subsistence benefits. Procurement of the masks will be organised by the Ministry of Finance who will distribute these to local governments who, in turn, must organise the distribution of masks to those in need.
“In order to take control of the coronavirus epidemic, the Government made it mandatory, among other restrictions, to wear a mask or cover one’s nose and mouth in public indoor spaces,” stated Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. “It is clear that for many Estonian people, purchasing masks is an additional expense that may further affect their daily subsistence. In order for all Estonian people to be able to equally protect themselves from the coronavirus, we decided today that we will be ensuring masks for the most economically vulnerable.”
The Minister of Public Administration Jaak Aab noted that there are up to 20,000 people receiving subsistence benefits, which means that about 40,000 masks are required. “In the currently existing central reserve of the State, there are mostly disposable masks, which means that it is now necessary to quickly obtain reusable masks. Domestic manufacturers are preferred, of course,” said Aab.
Wearing a mask or covering one’s nose and mouth indoors is just one measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. To effectively prevent the spread of the virus, it is necessary to wash hands, avoid touching one’s eyes, nose and mouth, keep a distance from other people in crowded spaces, clean publicly used surfaces, ventilate rooms. If possible, the use of public transport should be avoided, and stores for buying staple goods and food should be visited at a time when they are not crowded.
NordenBladet —Today, the Government supported the signing of all the pre-purchase contracts with vaccine manufacturers in the European Union joint procurement. Participation in the EU joint procurements ensures that the vaccines will reach all European Union Member States at the same time and at the same price.
“We are all waiting for a vaccine, in order to put the COVID-19 pandemic behind us. This is why all parties are engaged in the rapid development of vaccines and bringing these to the market,” said Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. “However, no compromises can be made on quality and safety. For this, strict requirements have been established in the European Union, to which the COVID-19 vaccines must also conform. Of course, we are simultaneously making preparations to be ready to commence vaccinating as soon as the vaccines that have received marketing authorisation from the European Medicines Agency reach Estonia.”
According to the Government’s plan, vaccination will be free of charge to all Estonian residents until 2021. From 2022, it will be free of charge to at-risk groups. To procure the vaccines and the equipment necessary for vaccination, it is intended to apply for money from European Union funds, from the ReactEU Fund that is intended to combat the coronavirus crisis.
“As the first priority, Estonia will procure the vaccine to protect at-risk groups,” said the Minister of Social Affairs Tanel Kiik. “The vaccine is also important for workers providing vital services, such as medics or police officers, to ensure the normal operation of society. Since Estonia will be joining all seven of the European Union joint vaccine portfolio contracts, the potential supplied amount of vaccine will surpass the needs of Estonia. This is important to mitigate risks and to ensure the possibility to vaccinate for all Estonian people wishing to do so, in order to reduce the economic and societal effect of COVID-19.”
As the first priority, it is intended to enable vaccination for healthcare and welfare institution workers, welfare institution residents, the elderly, and people with certain intercurrent and chronic illnesses. About 300,000 people belong to the coronavirus at-risk groups in Estonia.
The joint vaccine portfolio covered by the European Commission procurements has selected vaccine candidates that are the most promising and that are based on different already-existing and novel technologies: Astra Zeneca, Sanofi, Jannsen Pharmaceutica NV, Pfizer/BioNTech, Curevac, Moderna, and Novavax.
Currently, no vaccine has obtained marketing authorisation in the European Union. Upon obtaining marketing authorisation, the production and delivery of vaccines involves risks, which is why any given vaccine reaching the market may be delayed. Right now, the characteristics and effectiveness of the vaccines are not definitively known – for example, for how long one vaccine or another may grant immunity, or for which age groups they are best suited.
The main aim of procuring the COVID-19 vaccine and enabling Estonian residents to vaccinate is to protect the most vulnerable groups of people – at-risk groups who are at a higher risk of becoming infected than others, or for whom the illness may turn out to be especially dangerous; to protect workers providing vital services to ensure the normal operation of society; to reduce and prevent deaths caused by COVID-19 and to provide an opportunity for vaccination to those Estonian residents who do not belong to the vaccination target group, but who wish to vaccinate against the coronavirus.
