NordenBladet — At its extraordinary sitting today, the Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) discussed the proposed amendments to the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu 288 OE. The Committee adopted a Statement which condemns the motions to amend regarding Estonia becoming a part of Russia and surrendering Saaremaa Island to Latvia.
The Statement says: “In their work, the Members of the Riigikogu must proceed from the oath of office of a Member of the Riigikogu and from the Constitution of Estonia. Article 2 of the Constitution provides that the land, territorial waters and airspace of the Estonian state are an inseparable and indivisible whole.
All motions to amend submitted by the Members of the Riigikogu that concern making Estonia a part of Russia and surrendering the island of Saaremaa to Latvia contradict the oath of office of Member of the Riigikogu and the Good Practice of the members of the Parliament, and damage the international reputation of Estonia.
We call on the members of the Riigikogu who submitted these motions to apologise for them. We condemn such activities on behalf of the Constitutional Committee.”
The Statement was supported by Anti Poolamets, Heiki Hepner, Martin Repinski, Marko Šorin (substitute member of Andrei Korobeinik), Tõnis Mölder (substitute member of Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski) and Kalle Grünthal.
Members of the Riigikogu Urmas Kruuse, Ants Laaneots and Jüri Jaanson have withdrawn their motions to amend containing the question “Would it be better to live in the Republic of Estonia if the Republic of Estonia were a part of Russia?”
The Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu will continue preparations for the second reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Holding a Referendum on the Issue of the Definition of Marriage” at its extraordinary sitting at 12 noon on Sunday, 10 January.
The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu on holding a Referendum on the issue of the definition of marriage (288 OE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction and the Faction Isamaa, passed its first reading in the Riigikogu on 14 December 2020. The second reading is scheduled for 13 January.
The Bill provides for submitting the following question (other national issue): “Shall marriage remain a union between a man and a woman in Estonia?” to the referendum to be held on 18 April 2021. By the date for submitting amendments, 9317 motions to amend the Draft Resolution were submitted.
NordenBladet —The Government approved the order governing travel from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Estonia. As of 1 January, when coming to Estonia from the United Kingdom, it is necessary to get tested for SARS-CoV-2 at least 72 hours before the start of the trip.
The Government approved the regulation pursuant to which a person can only travel to Estonia from the United Kingdom if they have been tested 72 hours before the trip for SARS-CoV-2, and the result of the test has been negative. The obligation to get tested does not extend to children under 10 years of age. After crossing the border, when arriving from the United Kingdom, a person must remain in self-isolation for 14 days, during which time they are not allowed to leave their residence or permanent place of stay.
It is possible to shorten the 14-day self-isolation period if, in addition to the test taken before entering the country, a person also gets tested on the seventh day after arriving in Estonia. The period of self-isolation will be shortened if both tests are negative.
People who arrive in Estonia from the United Kingdom in the coming days and are unable to get tested 72 hours before the trip, must get tested immediately after entering the country. To shorten the period of self-isolation, the second test must be taken no sooner than on the seventh day after learning the results of the first test. The results of both tests must be negative.
The period of self-isolation will also be shortened if a physician deems the person to be non-infectious. To shorten the period of self-isolation, children under 10 years of age must also get tested.
A person arriving from the United Kingdom may leave self-isolation under the orders of a physician, police officer or official of the rescue service, or in the event of an emergency. A person in self-isolation may leave their home to purchase items that are crucial for living, if these cannot be obtained in any other manner. A person may spend time outside by fully avoiding contact with other people. Regardless of the reason for leaving home or permanent place of stay, all measures for preventing the spread of the coronavirus must be followed.
Exceptions for testing and self-isolation will continue to remain in effect for certain persons if they do not exhibit symptoms. For example, restrictions will not extended to persons arriving in Estonia in the context of military defence cooperation, to diplomats or resolvers of the emergency situation.
The Government Communication Unit is publishing the order and its explanatory memorandum on the kriis.ee website.
NordenBladet —At an e-session, the government approved the support measures for the areas affected by the COVID-19 restrictions, the largest part of which concerns the support of the people of Harju and Ida-Viru counties through employers.
“This year has been unpredictably difficult for the whole world. In Estonia, the people and companies of Harju and Ida-Viru counties have suffered particularly badly due to the second wave of the coronavirus. In order to prevent the medical system from collapsing, the government had to impose extensive restrictions in these counties,” said Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. “Unfortunately, these restrictions have seriously disrupted the lives of thousands of people. Today, the government approved support measures totalling more than 30 million euros to compensate for the loss of income. They are aimed at employees working in the tourism, accommodation, and catering sector but also in the fields of culture, sports, and education. We also provided support for self-employed persons operating in these fields,” he emphasised. “Together, we can overcome this very difficult time. Let us hope that in the near future, the situation will stabilise thanks to vaccination and we will able to return to our normal life all over Estonia.”
More than 16 million euros will be directed to support Harju and Ida-Viru counties through the Unemployment Insurance Fund
Compensation will be paid to those employers in Harju and Ida-Viru counties whose activities have been seriously disrupted due to the extensive restrictions in force between 28 December and 17 January.
In accordance with the submitted plan, compensation is paid to employers for those employees whose place of employment as at 22 December is in Harju County or Ida-Viru County according to the employment register. Labour costs are compensated on the basis of the employer’s wage costs for employees in Harju and Ida-Viru counties in November. The compensation is transferred to the employers’ bank account. Companies receiving compensation may not make redundancies for one month after receiving the support.
Compensation for labour costs is intended for accommodation and catering companies, sports facilities, recreational activities, refresher training, and culture. Compensation is paid only to companies that do not have a tax debt to the state or to companies whose tax debt has been deferred as at 22 December. The maximum rate of compensation for labour costs per employer is 180,000 euros.
The support is paid to entrepreneurs once and it is possible to apply for the support during February 2021 through E-töötukassa.
More than 800,000 euros will be allocated to support self-employed persons in Harju and Ida-Viru counties
813,512 euros will be allocated from the government reserve to the Ministry of Social Affairs to support self-employed persons in Ida-Viru and Harju counties whose economic activities have been significantly disrupted due to the restrictions imposed by the government.
Almost 10 million euros will be directed to the tourism sector through Enterprise Estonia
The funds for the tourism sector are directed to support accommodation companies, catering companies operating in the Old Town of Tallinn, operators of Estonian handicraft and souvenir shops, and travel companies (travel agencies and tour operators). The maximum amount of support per company is 60,000 to 180,000 euros, depending on the company’s field of activity, loss of turnover, and/or labour taxes.
Enterprise Estonia will start granting the supports in the first quarter of 2021 after the approval of the support regulation and receipt of a state aid permit from the European Commission.
To finance the measure, the government will allocate 5 million euros from the reserve to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
In addition, the government decided to allocate the remaining 3 million euros to support the lease payments of trade and service companies negatively affected by the COVID-19 outbreak of the coronavirus in spring 2020.
The 1.9 million euros left over from the spring aid measure in this area will also be used to support tourism businesses.
Support in the field of culture and sport
3.7 million euros were allocated from the government reserve to the Ministry of Culture to support cultural enterprises in Harju and Ida-Viru counties. The terms of the support measure are similar to the spring crisis package for culture and sport, but the exact terms will be worked out. The application rounds will open in January.
In addition, cultural operators, as well as cultural and sports companies and organisations can apply to the Unemployment Insurance Fund for compensation for labour costs for the period from 28 December to 17 January. The Unemployment Insurance Fund has specially planned funds to compensate for labour costs in the field of culture and sports.
An additional 153,000 euros will be allocated from the government reserve to the Ministry of Culture to compensate for the damage to culture and sports elsewhere in Estonia resulting from the restrictions extended until 10 January.
The support applications are processed in various fields by the Ministry of Culture, the Estonian Centre of Folk Culture, the Integration Foundation, or the Estonian Foundation of Sport Education and Information. Applicants are asked to check the website and Facebook page of the Ministry of Culture.
Support in the field of education and youth
2.3 million euros were allocated from the government reserve to the Ministry of Education and Research to support private providers of hobby education and recreational activities for young people in Harju and Ida-Viru counties. The principles of resource allocation will be decided separately. Entrepreneurs in the field of education and youth will also have the opportunity to apply to the Unemployment Insurance Fund for compensation for labour costs for the period from 28 December to 17 January.
An additional 441,000 euros will be allocated from the government reserve to the ministry to compensate for the damage resulting from the restrictions to private providers of hobby education and recreational activities elsewhere in Estonia.
The measure makes it possible to offer private providers of hobby education and recreational activities all over Estonia a one-time support payment of 10 euros per student and up to 30 euros per student in Ida-Viru and Harju counties. The basis for receiving support for private hobby education providers is the data in the Estonian education information system on the number of students as at 10 November. A simple electronic form must be completed in January to confirm the application. Private providers of recreational activities can submit an application for the support.
Ministries will provide more detailed information on applying for the supports in the new year.
There is also a restriction to avoid receiving several supports at the same time, which means that if a company decides to apply for support from the Ministry of Education and Research or the Ministry of Culture for the same period, it will not receive remuneration support through the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
NordenBladet — The European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) approved Estonia’s positions regarding the agreements regulating the future relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom at its today’s sitting.
Chair of the Committee Mailis Reps said that the UK’s decision to leave the European Union was regrettable and it would complicate the lives of many Estonians. “However, our Committee will also try to do everything to see that the changes would go as smoothly as possible. An agreement is in any case better than Britain leaving without a deal,” Reps pointed out.
The Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee added that unfortunately the agreements made in the busy moments at the end of the year showed signs of haste. “In connection with the end of free movement in January, travelling to the United Kingdom will be more complicated for those who wish to stay longer than for six months. We know that many young people are interested in studying in the UK and they are waiting for news about that. Unfortunately, there are no decisions that resolve the future of the Erasmus programmes, and in order to study in the UK, the students will have to apply for a student visa from 1 January 2021. But we are working to find good solutions to this as fast as possible, maybe as an alternative system,” Reps said.
Travelling between the EU and the UK continues to be visa-free also from the beginning of the next year, for 90 days in a 180-day period.
Deputy Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee Riina Sikkut underlined that having close relations and cooperation with the United Kingdom was important for Estonia. “Estonia values free, open and smooth trade with the UK, and regarding the recent agreement, I would like to highlight zero tariffs on mutual trade as an important decision,” she said.
According to the explanatory memorandum of the decision, the main interests of Estonia are also ensuring mutual access to the markets and equal competition conditions, as well as cooperation in digital trade and between small and medium-size enterprises, movement of capital and investments, and continuation of data exchange, transport connections, social protection and internal and legal cooperation.
The European Commission held negotiations with the United Kingdom on behalf of the Member States to conclude a new partnership agreement. Last Thursday these negotiations ended in agreeing on Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the agreement on protecting classified information and the cooperation agreement on safe and peaceful use of nuclear energy at the chief negotiators level.
In order for these agreements to take effect from the beginning of the next year, draft decisions have been submitted to Member States for urgent approval by the end of today. Signing of the agreements is planned for tomorrow. In order to give the parties of the agreement the possibility to acquaint themselves with the contents of the agreement, the draft decision provides for applying the agreement provisionally from January next year.
NordenBladet — The Government imposes extensive restrictions due to COVID-19 in Harju County and extends the measures already in place to prevent further spread of the coronavirus in Ida-Viru County. In addition, as of December 24, a 50 percent use of maximum capacity requirement for religious services will apply nationally. To compensate for the economic damage caused by the new restrictions, the members of the government also agreed on subsidies for the most affected economic sectors. The total amount of support amounts to EUR 23 million. The Government will issue separate orders for both restrictions and support measures.
“Considering the accelerated spread of the coronavirus in Tallinn and Harju County, the increasing occupancy of local hospitals and the spread of the coronavirus among hospital staff, we have to make difficult decisions to protect our medical system from overload and ensure access to medical care,” said Prime Minister Mr. Jüri Ratas. “Unfortunately, we see that the existing measures have not been enough to slow down the virus growth trend. Based on the opinion of the Scientific Council and the Estonian Health Board, the Government decided to impose more extensive restrictions in Harju County and Tallinn in order to break the chain of connections causing the spread of infection. To stop the spread of the virus, people of Estonia need to spend Christmas within a small family circle. In this way, we can show solidarity with society as a whole and contribute to stopping the spread of the coronavirus. ”
Restrictions applicable for Harju County and Ida-Viru County from December 28 to January 17.
It is not allowed to provide any entertainment services anywhere – casinos, bowling and billiard halls, adult clubs and premises of accommodation facilities. Accommodation establishments may continue to provide accommodation services.
All sales and service premises of catering companies must be closed to customers. Food takeaway and related delivery service are permitted. All sports facilities must be closed for visitors, including sports club, saunas, spas, swimming pools, water parks. Restrictions do not apply to professional athletes, including national championship teams, team members and team candidates. There is also no restriction for people with special needs.
It is not allowed to hold public meetings and events, including conferences, theatre performances, concerts, and indoor cinema viewings. Museums and exhibitions must also be closed to visitors. Up to 10 people can take part in public events and meetings outdoors.
Indoor youth work, hobby activities and informal education, further training, and continuous education, as well as sports and coaching activities are prohibited. All these activities are allowed outdoors for a group of up to ten people and a coach.
Kindergartens and childcare facilities will remain open, but guidelines issued by the Estonian Health Board and local government to prevent the spread of the virus must be followed.
50 percent use of maximum capacity restriction will apply to public religious services from December 24
A 50% use of maximum capacity ceiling will be applied to worship and religious services throughout Estonia in order to avoid the risk of the coronavirus spreading during the Christmas holidays. Masks must be worn indoors, disinfection requirements must be met and other measures to prevent the spread of the virus must be followed.
Restrictions on educational activities for general education schools will remain in place nationally until the end of the school holidays, January 10. (incl.)
The Government extended restrictions on educational activities until January 10, 2021 (incl.). The extension of restrictions affects general education schools, vocational training institutions, universities of applied sciences, and universities. Those schools where the break ends before January 10, Years 1 to 4 may return to school for classes. The restrictions, which will come into force after January 10, will be discussed by the Government at a cabinet meeting next week.
The Government Communication Office publishes the order and its explanatory memorandum on the website kriis.ee.
In addition, the Government also discussed sector-based compensations for restrictions that significantly affect economic life in Harju County and compensations arising from the extension of restrictions in Ida-Viru County. Compensation measures for businesses in Harju County are aimed for accommodation, catering, entertainment (casinos) services, as well as culture, sports, private education, and hobby activities. The measures total EUR 23 million. The content of the measures is the compensation for taxes on labour according to the employment data in the county, as well as the subsidies directed through the field of culture and education.
NordenBladet — Today, the last meeting of the Baltic Prime Ministers during the Estonian Presidency of the Baltic Council of Ministers took place in an online environment, discussing the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of joint energy and infrastructure projects. The meeting was also attended by Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy.
Prime Minister Jüri Ratas gave an overview of the implementation of the action plan of the Estonian Presidency, which was strongly shaped by COVID-19. At the same time, close co-operation will continue on major energy and infrastructure projects, including renewable energy.
“I am glad that during this difficult year, we have been in very close communication with our neighbours and have also been able to hold two physical meetings and four video meetings,” said Jüri Ratas.
The Baltic prime ministers presented the vaccination plans and the situation regarding the movement of passengers in the Baltic States, which is affected by the spread of a new strain of coronavirus discovered in Great Britain as well as the growing infection numbers in the three Baltic countries. “We decided that it is important to continue coordinating cross-border movement between the three Baltic States and, if necessary, to work together to ensure that Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian citizens and residents can return home safely from Great Britain despite the air traffic restrictions,” said Ratas.
According to the Estonian Prime Minister, COVID-19 numbers are growing in all three neighbouring countries and we were forced to increase the restrictions. “However, the vaccination that will start soon gives us great hope. The vaccination plan has been approved, we work closely with the entire European Union, and we also coordinate our activities with Latvia and Lithuania. It would be good if Latvia and Lithuania also joined the Estonian-WHO igital immunization certificate pilot project,” Ratas emphasised.
Speaking about Rail Baltica, the Estonian Prime Minister emphasised that the common goal of the Baltic States is to build the railway quickly. This will be achieved through the summer agreement of the Council, whereby we secured additional funding of a total of 1.38 billion euros for the Rail Baltica project for the three countries.
The second part of the meeting began with a discussion on energy. Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy, joined the meeting at this point and drew attention to the opportunities that the growing use of renewable energy, including the construction of offshore wind farms, will bring to the Baltic States. “The Baltic States take the goals of the European Green Agreement seriously and their contribution is necessary to achieve our goals. The European Commission welcomes plans to develop the offshore wind potential of the Baltics and to establish joint renewable energy projects, for example between Latvia and Estonia. We also consider it necessary to move forward with the synchronisation, and the European Commission is helping Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in many ways,” said Simson.
“The European Commission has recently decided to support the project with another 720 million euros. The synchronisation of the electricity networks of the Baltic States with the Central European electricity system by 2025 is a priority strategic project for all of us,” confirmed Jüri Ratas.
Next year, leadership of the Baltic co-operation will be taken over by Lithuania, whose main targets are close co-operation between the Baltic States in the fight against the coronavirus, major joint infrastructure projects, as well as security co-operation and the Eastern Partnership, especially supporting the Belarusian people in democracy and human rights.
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).
NordenBladet — The Riigikogu passed three Acts at the last regular sitting of its autumn session.
The purpose of the Act on Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Forensic Examination Act (implementation of the Regulation on the mutual recognition of freezing orders and confiscation orders and the Regulation on the European Public Prosecutor’s Office) (261 SE), initiated by the Government, is to ensure cooperation between the European Union Member States in the mutual recognition of freezing and confiscation orders according to an EU Regulation that is applicable from 19 December 2020.
According to the Act, the Prosecutor’s Office will be the competent authority to handle and execute freezing orders, and the Harju County Court will have the competence to recognise the orders. The Ministry of Justice will have the competence to handle confiscation orders and courts will have the competence to recognise confiscation orders. The mutual recognition of freezing and confiscation orders is expected to become faster, as the above regulation provides for specific deadlines for the recognition and execution of the orders.
In addition, the Act will make an amendment in connection with the application of the EU Regulation providing for the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. The Act will provide the powers of the European Prosecutor and the European Delegated Prosecutor in criminal proceedings.
The Act amends the provisions that give the Prosecutor General a certain procedural competence. It also provides that in fulfilling their duties linked to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, the European Prosecutor and the European Delegated Prosecutor will enjoy the same rights as the Prosecutor’s Office under the Code of Criminal Procedure. It also specifies the competence of the Prosecutor’s Office in pre-trial procedure, the procedure for resolving appeals, and the signing of the work contract of the head of an expert agency.
91 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of passing the Act.
The Act on Amendments to the Natural Gas Act (256 SE), initiated by the Government, will transpose the EU directive concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas.
The amendments are related to the additional obligations of the Competition Authority with regard to the conduct of cross-border disputes and the regulation for the conclusion of agreements with third countries on the operation of transmission lines and upstream pipeline networks. It also specifies the starting of the negotiations between a third country and Estonia for the conclusion of agreements on the operation of transmission lines and upstream pipeline networks, concluding the contract, and receiving the relevant permission from the European Commission.
85 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act, one abstained.
The Act on Amendments to the Estonian Public Broadcasting Act (122 SE), initiated by the Reform Party, will extend the target group and the range of persons with hearing disabilities to whom the Estonian Public Broadcasting must ensure the availability of the original programmes offered by the television programme services to the best of their ability.
With the Act, the word “vaegkuuljatele” (“persons with hearing disabilities”) will be replaced with the words “kuulmispuudega inimestele” (“persons with hearing loss”) in the third sentence of clause 5 (1) 1) of the Estonian Public Broadcasting Act. The essential meaning of this sentence is that the original programmes of the Estonian Public Broadcasting must be made available to the maximum extent possible to people with hearing disabilities. Original programmes also include, among other things, public communications, speeches and welcoming addresses by heads of state that are intended for the whole society and are broadcast on national television, and which currently are not always interpreted into sign language.
85 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of passing the Act.
The Riigikogu passed a total of 59 legal acts during the 2020 autumn session.
After the sitting, Santa Claus came to the Riigikogu and gave his point of view of the activities of the members of the Riigikogu.
NordenBladet —The government extended the quarantine requirements for patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and persons who have been in close contact with them until 1 February 2021.
COVID-19 patients are prohibited from leaving their place of residence or permanent place of stay from the time of diagnosis until recovery. Such persons may leave their place of residence or permanent place of stay only on the order of a health care professional or a police officer or in the event of an emergency that puts the person’s life or health at risk. A hotel or other accommodation establishment, such as a guest apartment, which is used by a person who has no other place of residence or place of stay during their stay in Estonia, is considered a permanent place of stay. A permanent place of stay also means places where shelter services and safe house services are provided.
The requirement to remain in quarantine for 14 days applies to persons living with the patient, permanently staying in the same place of residence as them, and to other persons who have otherwise had close contact with the person. Persons who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 may take the coronavirus test no earlier than on the 10th calendar day since the last close contact and will no longer be required to stay in quarantine if the test comes back negative. A person diagnosed with COVID-19 will no longer be required to stay in quarantine if a physician declares the person not contagious.
As an exception, a person who has had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 may leave their home for grocery shopping or getting everyday essentials near their place of residence or place of stay if they do not have any symptoms of illness. A person who has had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 may also go outdoors if they do not have any symptoms of illness and if they completely avoid contact with other persons.
A person who has had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 may leave their place of residence or place of stay if they are a health care professional who is performing urgent duties by a decision of their employer or if they are performing urgent duties by a decision of their employer and with advice from the Health Board and without whom the performance of a task of a state or local authority would be impossible. The exception also extends to persons ensuring the continuity of a vital service. If a person who has had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 leaves home in these exceptional cases, they must closely monitor their health and take all possible measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
The Government Communication Unit will publish the order and the explanatory memorandum on the website kriis.ee.
The content of the order must be published in the media. We will send a formal notification concerning the matter.
NordenBladet —Prime Minister Jüri Ratas met with the representatives of trade companies over video bridge yesterday to discuss the situation before Christmas and the compliance with the rules established in the shopping centres and stores to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Prime Minister Ratas emphasised that the efforts of both trade companies and customers are vitally important in order to cope with the second wave of the coronavirus together. ‘The spread of the coronavirus is critically high in Estonia. Therefore, before Christmas, as well as at the end of the year and at the beginning of the new year, we all – including traders, sellers, security staff, and shopper – need to be extra vigilant when visiting stores and follow the easiest but much needed rules to stop the virus from spreading further. We have to wear a mask, keep distance, wash hands, and also use the HOIA mobile app,’ the Prime Minister said. ‘We all want to be healthy and refrain from passing the infection among family on to the closest ones during the Christmas holidays. It is up to the behaviour of every Estonian resident whether we are able to seize control of the spread of the virus and whether our medical system can withstand the crisis,’ Ratas said.
According to the Prime Minister, close cooperation between the Government, authorities, and businesses is necessary to enforce the established necessary restrictions. While imposing such restrictions, the Government’s aim has been to prevent the spread of the virus, and at the same time to allow companies to continue operating, which is important for traders, employees, and buyers during the holidays.
The heads of the trade companies spoke about the measures taken in shopping centres and stores to prevent the virus from spreading, the number of visits to the stores, and the compliance with the rules by the customers. For example, it was highlighted that more and more visitors are wearing masks, and some traders have also distributed masks to visitors, if necessary. Entrepreneurs noted that they would continue to inform their visitors about the rules and draw the attention of shoppers and security staff to the need to wear a mask or keep their distance, if relevant. It is also planned to increase supervision over compliance with the rules by both entrepreneurs themselves and the Police and Border Guard Board during the holidays.
The occupancy rates of stores and shopping centres must not exceed 50 percent. People have to maintain a distance of two metres in stores, shopping centres, and points of service, and a maximum of two people may move around together. In addition, it is necessary to disinfect hands and wear a mask or cover one’s nose and mouth indoors, and avoid visiting the stores when feeling ill. It is recommended to make the Christmas purchases early, using online stores or courier services, if possible. When visiting the store, one should choose a time where there are as few other buyers as possible and it is wise to use the contactless payment option for purchasing.
The meeting was attended by the heads of Ülemiste Centre, Kaubamaja Group, Selver, Prisma, COOP Keskühistu, Kristiine, and Rocca al Mare centres, Viru Keskus, Maxima, Rimi, K-Rauta, Bauhof, and Decora, as well as the CEO of the Estonian Traders Association, Nele Peil. Also, Minister of Social Affairs Tanel Kiik, Minister of Foreign Trade and Information Technology Raul Siem, Director General of the Health Board Üllar Lanno, Head of the Research Council Irja Lutsar, as well as the representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, and the Police and Border Guard Board were present at the meeting.