NordenBladet — At an e-sitting, the government approved an order on restrictions on indoor hobby education, hobby activities, and amateur sport in Ida-Viru County. The new requirements will enter into force on Saturday, 5 December. The restrictions are necessary as the spread of the coronavirus is the widest in Ida-Viru County compared to other counties.

The restrictions apply to indoor hobby activities and hobby education, sports and training, and sports and exercise events.

In all these areas, only individual studies and activities, including individual activities with a supervisor, are allowed as of Saturday. Masks must be worn unless this is not possible for health or other important reasons. Children under the age of 12 are also not required to wear a mask.

Studies and activities must follow the usual rules for preventing the spread of the virus, such as the availability of disinfectants, the cleaning of common areas, the ventilation of rooms, and other instructions issued by the Health Board. The 2 + 2 rule must also be followed, except in the case of families or where it is not reasonably possible to do so.

The individual restriction does not apply to members of the same family and the activities of people with special needs.

Additionally, the established restrictions do not apply to professional and semi-professional sports taking place in the competitive system of sports governing bodies, including in the case of youth sports to those athletes and teams participating in the Estonian championships organised by sports governing bodies.

The restrictions are not extended to physical education lessons in primary, basic education, and upper secondary schools and to activities related to the country’s military defence and internal security, such as sports activities for conscripts on the territory of the Defence Forces.

The Government Communication Unit will publish the order and the explanatory memorandum on the website kriis.ee.

As at 3 December, the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes the COVID-19 disease, is most extensive in Estonia in Ida-Viru County. The infection rate per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days is 834 in Ida-Viru County, which is more than twice as high as that of Harju County, which has the next highest prevalence of infection (400). As at yesterday, a total of 1,166 COVID-19 cases have been registered in the Eastern Region Department of the Health Board in the last 14 days. As at 3 December, there are 68 COVID-19 patients in treatment at Ida-Viru Central Hospital, compared to 43 patients at West Tallinn Central Hospital and 31 patients at Tartu University Hospital.

As at 30 November, bed occupancy was critically high in three hospitals – Ida-Viru Central Hospital, West Tallinn Central Hospital, and Narva Hospital. As at 1 December, the occupancy rate of general hospital rooms for COVID-19 patients in Ida-Viru Central Hospital is 91 per cent and scheduled surgical treatment has been limited to 70 per cent. The occupancy rate of general hospital rooms for COVID-19 patients at Narva Hospital is 62 per cent. Scheduled treatment is closed, except for outpatient reception. The number of patients over the age of 60 is also constantly growing. The average age of hospitalised people is 68.5 years, and the share of people aged 60 and older in hospitals is 73.3 per cent. In Ida-Viru County, there has also been an increase in the number of people infected from the nursing home foci.

The continuity of the region’s health care system is also threatened by the fact that in Narva Hospital, nearly 100 employees have been issued a certificate of incapacity for work, 39 of whom have been diagnosed with COVID-19. In addition, the average length of hospital stay has increased due to patients with more serious conditions.

Source: Estonian Government

NordenBladet — Today, Prime Minister Jüri Ratas cancelled his visit to Ida-Viru County because he was informed that on Wednesday, he had had a work-related meeting with a person who learned today that they have tested positive for COVID-19.

After this, the Prime Minister communicated with the Health Board, which confirmed that he has been in close contact with an infected person. The Prime Minister will follow all the guidelines provided by the Health Board.

“I am immediately cancelling my visit to Ida-Viru County and am heading to get tested, to make sure that my meetings today were not infectious for other people. After that, I will remain in self-isolation and will adhere to all further guidelines from the Health Board. Naturally, I wore a mask today throughout the visit, and kept a distance,” said Prime Minister Jüri Ratas.

Source: Estonian Government

NordenBladet — Today, the Prime Minister met with business leaders, experts and economists who provided advice to the Government on the topic of reviving the economy, in order to discuss the reflection of offered recommendations in State measures and provide estimates for the future. The steps taken by the Government found the approval of the Experts’ Forum.

In mid-August, the Experts’ Forum – created in June alongside the Economic Development Committee of the Government – provided strategic goals and priorities which should be taken as a point of reference in exiting the crisis. These are primarily safeguarding jobs and creating new jobs, and accelerating structural changes in the economy through innovation, digitalisation and environmental sustainability. It was emphasised that a stable business environment and boosting the efficiency of the public sector would support overcoming the crisis. The experts also recommended not to compensate decreased state budget revenues with cuts, but to take out a loan to cover deficiencies, and only then go back to the state budget rules coordinated in the European Union. Ensuring the free movement of people and goods, maintaining critical infrastructure and services, and considering regional development needs in shaping economic measures were considered important.

‘A large portion of the offered measures found application in next year’s state budget, and will also be taken into account in planning the allocation of European Union funds’, said Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. ‘We have accelerated investments that support the recovery of the economy. This way, the volume of government sector investments will grow by 28% to about EUR 1.9 billion next year. Substantial investments have been planned in the field of healthcare, but also in improving the living conditions of people in every corner of Estonia, including sparsely populated areas, and in road construction’, he noted, providing some examples about the decisions made within the budget.

‘Financing of research activities will increase next year to the long-awaited 1% of GDP. Growth in the volume of research and development, digital development and the green revolution of companies are the priorities in planning investments’, Ratas underscored. The addition of a new generation of young scientists and their heading to work in entrepreneurship and the public sector, in addition to the academic sector, are important.

The current situation, in which the spread of the coronavirus continues to grow, was also discussed. The Prime Minister introduced future plans related to vaccination to the Experts’ Forum, and emphasised that it remains very important to strive towards striking a balance that allows us to avoid overburdening the healthcare system without damaging the economy and people’s livelihoods too severely. Participants in the discussion emphasised that even though uncertainty is still high, and there is no uniform estimate regarding the extent of the effectiveness of the vaccine, the State, companies, and society must prepare to continue to live life as normally as possible in the long-term under the new circumstances. The importance of Internet connections and flexible retraining opportunities, the need for adopting user-friendly digital solutions in the education system, as well as increasing the reliability of Estonia as a tourist destination and the need for the fast implementation of already decided measures were all emphasised. The parties also found that the cooperation of the Government and the Experts’ Forum on anti-crisis measures must continue. The next meeting is planned to be held in February 2021.

NordenBladet — Today, the Government approved further measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which will restrict the opening times of entertainment establishments, locations for holding public events, and catering establishments, and will reduce the number of persons allowed to simultaneously visit stores and service locations. The restrictions will enter into force on Saturday, 5 December.

“The spread of the virus remains high in Estonia, despite the restrictions established so far. Also, increasingly more people who have fallen ill with COVID-19 require hospital treatment, and the death rate caused by the illness has risen. The higher burden on the healthcare system caused by the coronavirus already significantly affects access to health care in case of other health concerns,” said Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. “Since the virus is widely spreading in public areas in Estonia, from where, people carry it to their homes and families, the Government had to further restrict crowded opportunities of spending free time. The almost daily reports of people losing their lives to the coronavirus are not just mere statistics. These are Estonian people, who are our mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, daughters and sons, our loved ones and people close to us. We are obligated to do make every effort to protect them and to hinder and control the spread of this virus that has such serious consequences.”

The restrictions that will become effective on 5 December:

Up to 50% capacity in sales areas and public areas of stores and service areas of service providers

There may be no more people than the 50% capacity of a given space in indoor sales areas and public spaces of stores and service areas of service providers. At that, people must also adhere to the 2+2 rule, i.e., only up to two people may travel together, and they must keep a two-metre distance from other people.

Restriction on visiting catering and entertainment establishments and locations for holding public events between 22:00 to 6:00

Catering and entertainment establishments and locations for holding public events where a stationary seat is not ensured to event visitors, must keep their doors closed to visitors from 22:00 to 6:00. Selling food for customers to take away or enabling a courier or transport service for purchasing food will still be allowed for catering establishments. Organising private parties is also forbidden in all these locations. Requirements on public events and sporting and recreational sports events will also be harmonised.

As at 3 December, there were 218 COVID-19 patients requiring hospital treatment. Already as at 30 November, bed occupancy was critically high in three hospitals: Ida-Viru Central Hospital, West Tallinn Central Hospital and Narva Hospital. The number of patients over the age of 60 is also growing constantly. The average age of hospitalised people is 68.5 years; the proportion of people aged 60 or older in hospitals is 73.3%.  Also, in the Ida Viru County welfare system, more infected people have been added from the nursing home outbreaks; for example, as at 2 December 2020, there are 15 customers in the Kohtla-Järve nursing home who have a higher likelihood of requiring hospital treatment. In addition, the average length of stay in hospitals has increased on the account of the more severely ill.

The Government Communication Unit is publishing the order and its explanatory memorandum on the kriis.ee website

Source: Estonian Government

NordenBladet — Today, the Economic Development Committee of the government discussed opportunities as to how the State could more extensively than before support investments that have a major positive impact on the Estonian economy and labour market.

‘During the coronavirus pandemic, several countries, such as Germany, for example, have begun to actively support those companies that create high added value, provide high-paying jobs, and create wider clusters around them that develop the specific industry’, said Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. ‘For such companies to operate in Estonia as well, we also need to find new solutions how to better support their activity, doing this transparently and relying on clear principles’, said Prime Minister Jüri Ratas.

The Committee found that research-intensive, high added value business projects, that create jobs with a competitive salary for Estonian people and contribute to regional development in the area where production takes place, are especially important for the State.

The Minister of Foreign Trade and Information Technology was tasked with developing specific principles for supporting major investments and presenting these to the Government cabinet on 3 December 2020.

Background:

The objective of the Economic Development Committee of the government, formed under the 13 April 2017 Order of the Government of the Republic, is to promote the economic development of Estonia, and to improve the State’s competitiveness. The committee is chaired by the Prime Minister. The members of the Committee are: the Minister of Foreign Trade and Information Technology, the Minister of Education and Research, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Social Affairs, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Other ministers participate in the Committee meeting when summoned by the Prime Minister, if the topic area covered requires the presence of another minister. The work of the Committee is organised by the Government Office.

Source: Estonian Government

NordenBladet — Today, Prime Minister Jüri Ratas held a video meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal, during which an agreement on technical and financial cooperation between Estonia and Ukraine was signed. This ensures tax exemption for Estonian-Ukrainian technical cooperation projects in Ukraine.

“The visit of the Prime Minister of Ukraine to Estonia was to take place in November, but was postponed due to the spread of the coronavirus. However, our relations still need to be developed during a pandemic,” said Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. “Estonia conducts nearly 40 cooperation projects with Ukraine a year, the main focus of which is on strengthening democracy, including through the development of e-government, supporting the business environment, and raising the quality of education. In connection with the spread of the coronavirus, we are also paying more attention to the field of health care.”

In the first project, we will start managing border queues at two Ukrainian border checkpoints. This provides an opportunity to apply Estonia’s experience in Ukraine in dealing with similar problems and promotes both cross-border movement and trade.

The leaders of the Estonian and Ukrainian governments discussed bilateral relations and common challenges in the fight against the coronavirus. During the pandemic, Estonia has helped Ukraine with masks, disinfectants, blankets, and other items that help protect people from the virus and speed up the recovery of the sick. Both countries are trying to strike a balance between health care and economic needs and are preparing for the moment when it will be possible to start vaccinating the population, especially those at risk. The European Union has pledged 500 million euros to support the international risk mitigation mechanism COVAX, which helps ensure access to vaccines in low- and middle-income countries, including Ukraine.

Ratas assured Shmyhal that Estonia strongly supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “As an elected member of the UN Security Council, we keep the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Crimea under constant attention of the international community.” According to Ratas, Estonia is always ready to share its experiences with Ukraine, which will help Ukraine move forward with reforms and support the country’s aspirations towards the European Union.

On international issues, the prime ministers discussed the Three Seas Initiative and the transition to renewable energy.

NordenBladet —The Government approved the proposal of the Minister of Culture Tõnis Lukas to allow a specification for the organisation of group games of the European Basketball Championship qualification tournament in Tallinn. By way of the specification, the other members of the delegation that have been in close contact with a person who has given a positive test result for having the coronavirus, may continue to train and compete after additional testing and having been tested negative for the coronavirus.

According to Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, the organisers of the European Basketball Championship have made great efforts to conduct the sporting event in a way that ensures safety from infection. “The Government’s objective is to keep life in Estonia as open as possible so that, despite the spread of the coronavirus, we are able to continue living as normal lives as possible,” he said. “The holding of the European Championship in Estonia is an event that affects the future of our sport. Organising sport events at a top level for Europe will help Estonia in obtaining the rights to organise high-level international sports competitions later on. Thinking about the future of Estonian sports and trusting the professionalism of the organisers and them cooperating with the Health Board, the Government decided today to allow the specification.”

“Organising the tournament will give our national team the advantage of playing on its home court and will thus, perhaps, also give an opportunity to reach the final tournament of the European Championship in 2022. Of course this will depend on whether the team plays good basketball,” said Minister of Culture Tõnis Lukas. “This change has been made so that the accidental illness of one athlete will not cause the entire tournament to end. The current procedure would necessitate this, because the entire team would then automatically need to leave Tallinn,” he noted. Lukas added that the tournament will also have a wider impact – due to the spread of COVID-19, several international competitions have been cancelled in Estonia since March; for this reason, every international competition that can be organised in Estonia is a positive for the country’s economy.

The qualifying tournament of the European Championship will see the men’s teams of Estonia, Russia, North Macedonia and Italy taking part. The games will be held on 28 and 30 November in Saku Suurhall. The teams will be Estonia from 24 November to 1 December, during which time, regular testing and supervision of the teams will be ensured. During the organisation of the tournament, the COVID-19 protocol established by the International Basketball Federation and the restrictions on the spread of the virus established in Estonia will be adhered to. The event will be held without spectators; tickets already sold will be bought back.

The Estonian Basketball Association, Saku Suurhall, Sportity, Piletikeskus, G4S Estonia, Estonian Police, Tallinn Airport, Hilton Tallinn Park, Hansabuss, SYNLAB, Confido, Sportomedica, Kotka Health Centre, Health Board, Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Social Affairs are involved in organising the tournament.

The Government Communication Office is publishing the order and its explanatory memorandum on the kriis.ee website.

Source: Estonian Government