NordenBladet – Mobile operator Telia opened its 5G network on Tuesday, in a first phase covering Estonia’s three largest towns, Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu.
Andre Visse, technology manager at Telia Estonia, said the service uses a frequency resource which had already been used in mobile communication technology.
“Although frequency bands for 5G in the 3.5 GHz band have not been distributed yet, the development of technology enables us to offer 5G also over those frequencies already in use,” Visse said.
5G will start reaching end users in stages, being also underpinned by the ever growing availability of 5G devices, including that on smartphones.
The 3.5 GHz frequency auction due at the beginning of 2021 will give the company the possibility to further extend its network and add speeds, Visse went on.
The new service covers 10 locations, six in Tallinn, two in Tartu and two in Pärnu. Telia said it plans to extend its 5G network to 20 locations by the end of this year.
The Tallinn locations are: the Solaris shopping mall area; on Betooni, in Lasnamäe; Tallinn Creative Hub (Kultuurikatel), the Linnahall and Tallink SPA area; the area around Telia’s Sõle head office; the area around Endla and in the vicinity of the Magistrali shopping mall in the Mustamäe district of Tallinn.
In Pärnu, the locations are the areas of Rüütli and Suur-Jõe streets, whereas in Tartu the service will be available on Tähe, and shortly also on Vanemuise streets.
Telia’s 5G network speeds at the moment reach up to 1 Gbps. When the 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz frequency bands are added, speeds can be increased to several Gbps.
Clients must have a device supporting 5G and a relevant mobile internet subscription with Telia to be able to use the 5G network, the company says.
Telia’s partner in bringing 5G to end customers is Swedish mobile communications provider Ericsson.
NordenBladet – The annual Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) takes place this year in exceptional conditions due to the coronavirus. Viewers will be required to wear a mask to movie screenings, but PÖFF films can also be watched at home online for the first time.
PÖFF director Tiina Lokk implored people to follow the rules put in place by the festival this year, which starts on November 13, so the festival can remain open.
This year, PÖFF has slightly fewer films than but all competition programs are still running and several Estonian films will be screened and premiered. There will also be a focus will be on German cinema.
Mikk Granström, director of the youth and children’s film festival Just Film, described how the online part of the festival will work. “You can see almost 100 movies on the Internet. The logic is that if a movie has been physically out of the cinema for some time, then you can watch that movie online for five days. That’s the simplest rule that’s there. Once a person has bought a ticket, they have 48 hours to watch the film,” he said.
Granström said the Just Film program still reflects a virus-free world: “All the films in the program, 40 films, were made before the coronavirus crisis, we can look back at a world we will never return to.”
Speaking about the impact of the coronavirus on the film industry, Tiina Lokk told ETV’s “Akutaalne kaamera”: “It’s been such a mess in the film world. It’s wreaked havoc at festivals, the schedules of premieres have been messed up, no one has benefited from it.”
The festival ends on November 29. View the full programme HERE.
Featured image: PÖFF ´s director Tiina Lokk (NordenBladet)
NordenBladet – All travelers entering Estonia must follow the quarantine guidelines from Monday, November 9. Travelers from Latvia, Lithuania and Finland have several exemptions.
Starting from November 9, the coronavirus infection rate limit concerning restrictions on the freedom of movement in Estonia is 50 per 100,000. The limit is reviewed on a weekly basis on Fridays and the new limit will take force the following Monday.
Based on the coronavirus infection rate, starting from Monday, a 10-day restriction on the freedom of movement will apply to passengers arriving in Estonia from the following European countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia*, Liechtenstein, Lithuania*, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Vatican and the United Kingdom.
The infection rate of the Vatican is 0 but anyone travelling to Estonia from there through Italy is subject to the 10-day restriction on the freedom of movement.
Based on Order No 282 of Government of Estonia, the restriction on the freedom of movement does not apply to asymptomatic people who have been on the territory of Lithuania, Latvia or Finland in the past 14 days and have arrived to Estonia directly from Lithuania, Latvia or Finland with the following preconditions:
Firstly, the person has taken a coronavirus test within 48 hours before their arrival in Estonia and the result is negative. When travelling to these countries from Estonia and returning to Estonia, it is possible to take the coronavirus test in Estonia, and return to normal life in case of a negative result. It is required to remain in self-isolation while waiting for the test results.
Hospitals expanding coronavirus wards
Secondly, if they arrive in Estonia for the purpose of working, studying or receiving health services or for family reasons or transit. When travelling to Estonia for the reasons listed above, it is not required to take a coronavirus test before arriving in Estonia.
On October 22, the Council of the European Union reviewed the list of third countries included in Annex 1 of its recommendation on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU, and according to the list, it is possible to travel to Estonia from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Uruguay. Starting from next week, only travelers arriving in Estonia from Uruguay are obligated to self-isolate for 10 days.
From September 1, people arriving in Estonia from high-risk countries can shorten the mandatory self-isolation and return to work by testing for COVID-19 at the airport and port.
Testing is free of charge for Estonian residents; foreigners can take the test at a cost of €67 and can pay on the spot by card.
Until the test results are known, a person must stay in complete self-isolation. In the case of a negative result, the person will be notified via text message, positive results will be communicated over the phone. The result will also be visible when entering the health information system with an ID card.
Health Board: Day brings 229 COVID-19 cases
In the case of a negative test result, the person must stay in limited self-isolation for the first seven days following arrival to Estonia, i.e. the person can go to work and, for example, a shop, but unnecessary contacts must be avoided. The person should also keep their distance from others while at work.
A second test must be performed no earlier than seven days after the results of the first test, and if it is also negative, a person can resume their daily life.
What does quarantine mean?
This means that within 14 calendar days of their arrival in Estonia, people must refrain from unnecessary contacts and can leave their place of residence or permanent accommodation only for seeing a doctor and shopping for food, essentials and medicines, or in emergencies.
Who is required to restrict their freedom of movement?
All symptomatic Estonian citizens and residents arriving in Estonia.
Passengers arriving from countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area and the Schengen area who began their trip from a country belonging to this region or transited a country of this region, based on the infection rate:
The mandatory self-isolation does not apply to passengers arriving in Estonia from a country with an infection rate below 25 per 100,000 inhabitants;
If the infection rate of the country is between 25 and 50, the need to self-isolate depends on whether the infection rate is below or above the rate of Estonia times 1.1;
If the infection rate is below that of Estonia, the person is not required to self-isolate;
If it is above the infection rate of Estonia, a two-week mandatory self-isolation applies.
Foreign ministry: Essential travel only
Due to the spread of the coronavirus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against any non-essential international travel.
In cases where travelling is essential, the Foreign Ministry advises keeping the following in mind:
Before planning your trip, please consult the Foreign Ministry website for the infection rate in your planned country of destination;
Stay up to date with possible travel restrictions in your destination – please consult the Reisi Targalt website, the ReOpen portal of the European Union, and, if necessary, contact the foreign mission of the country of destination for details;
Register your trip at the Foreign Ministry’s Reisi Targalt website to allow us to notify you of possible travel restrictions;
Follow the recommendations of the Estonian Health Board for a safe flight to protect your health and that of others – if you show symptoms, please postpone your trip and contact your GP;
Take out travel insurance and carefully read the conditions of your insurance (including for travel interruptions caused by COVID-19);
At your destination, follow the instructions of local authorities and keep up to date with possible new restrictions;
On your return, follow the rules introduced in Estonia, monitor your health, and if you suspect you have been infected with the virus, contact your GP.
NordenBladet — At today’s cabinet meeting, the government approved measures to be taken at work, at home, on public transport, and in other public places to curb the spread of the coronavirus and to protect the lives and health of Estonians.
According to Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, the situation regarding the spread of the coronavirus in Estonia is critical and the number of patients in hospital is growing rapidly. ‘In cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Health Board, and the Science Council, we offer recommendations and suggestions on how to reduce the spread of the infection at work, at home, on public transport, and in other public places. In addition, in the current situation, we consider it necessary to tighten restrictions in commercial establishments and catering and entertainment establishments so that we could control the spread of the virus,’ he said.
Today, the cabinet approved in principle the measures, the implementation of which requires a change in the government’s orders. The government will issue the relevant orders this Thursday.
Workplace measures
• We recommend employees to work remotely if possible.
• Employers are advised to prepare a remote working plan and arrange remote working in case someone becomes infected with the coronavirus at work.
• We recommend cancelling all joint events, including Christmas parties, which are attended by people who do not come into contact on a daily basis. Celebrating Christmas with family is, of course, allowed.
Measures at home
• Before meeting a person at risk, make sure you are safe from infection and ensure safety when visiting: wear a mask, keep your distance, and clean your hands and surfaces.
• Social welfare institutions must ensure safe opportunities for contact and non-contact communication for people belonging to the risk group.
• The safety rules applicable to living with a person infected with the coronavirus must be observed, including wearing a mask, keeping distance and avoiding contact with them, if possible, and cleaning hands and surfaces regularly.
Measures in public places and public transport
• On public transport, in the service halls and public areas of commercial enterprises, and at conferences, concerts, theatres, and cinemas, a mask must be worn or the nose and mouth must otherwise be covered. We ask carriers, enterprisers, and event organisers to monitor compliance with this requirement and to inform people thereof. People for whom it is medically indicated (for example, asthmatics or the deaf) and children under the age of 12 do not have to wear a mask. Other justified situations are also possible (for example, if there are no other passengers in the vehicle).
• Carriers are asked to put up a notice on wearing a mask on public transport, such as ‘Dear passenger, put on your mask!’ Other safety information must be displayed in a visible place on public transport.
• The government establishes by its order a 2 + 2 rule in service halls and public areas of commercial enterprises, in accordance with which no more than two people may move together and a distance of at least two metres must be kept with others, except for families and if this cannot be reasonably guaranteed. The rule will take effect on 16 November.
• The government establishes a two-metre distance rule between groups of people in catering and entertainment establishments, with a maximum of 10 people per group. The restriction does not apply to members of the same family, nor does it apply to, for example, hobby education and children’s playrooms. The rule will take effect on 16 November.
• The government limits the opening hours of catering and entertainment establishments from midnight to 6 a.m. to prevent crowds. The restriction does not cover the take-away of food. The rule will take effect on 16 November.
NordenBladet — The Economic Affairs Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) will today hold a joint public sitting “The results of the Estonian Research Council RITA study of foreign investments, and the impacts, bottlenecks and opportunities of foreign capital in Estonia”.
According to Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee Sven Sester, the purpose of the sitting is to get an overview of the impact of foreign capital on Estonia’s economy. “We must make continuous efforts in Estonia to attract foreign investments and to make our country attractive for foreign investors. Today, we will get the latest information from the Estonian Research Council, which will enable us to be better prepared for discussing the bills and laws concerning the Estonian economy,” Sester said.
“Sustainable increasing of foreign investments is one of the priorities of Estonia’s foreign policy and foreign trade in the coming years,” Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Enn Eesmaa said. “The volume of innovative investments into Estonia is decreasing at the moment. A survey of the role of foreign investments in Estonia’s economy helps recognise the reasons for the decrease, learn about the assessments of foreign investors and create a context for further decisions concerning Estonian economy and investment climate,” he added.
At the sitting, Professor of International Business at the University of Tartu Urmas Varblane will speak about the results of a study on smart foreign investments, Director of the Estonian Investment Agency Raido Lember will give an overview of foreign investments in Estonia, and representatives of foreign investments Katri Jürine from Ericsson Estonia Ltd and Jaanus Aal from Enics Estonia Ltd will share their experience. Deputy Secretary General for Economic Development at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications Viljar Lubi and Head of the Foresight Centre Tea Danilov will also present their comments.
The representatives of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Estonian Employers’ Confederation, the Estonian Service Industry Association and the Foreign Investors’ Council in Estonia are also included in the discussion.
The joint sitting of the Committees begins at 2 p.m., and it will be streamed online.
NordenBladet — The motion of no confidence in the Minister of Finance Martin Helme, signed by 34 members of the Riigikogu, was not supported in the Riigikogu. 46 members of the Riigikogu voted for the motion of no confidence and nobody was against. However, the support of at least 51 members of the Riigikogu was needed to express no confidence.
Marko Mihkelson (Reform Party), who presented the motion of no confidence, noted that Martin Helme in his capacity as a member of the Government had persistently engaged in damaging Estonia’s security and international reputation and allied relations important to Estonia.
The motion of no confidence states that Martin Helme has called into question the reliability of Estonian elections and the independence of Estonian democratic institutions and has deliberately sown mistrust in the fundamental principles of the functioning of the Estonian state as a democracy. Martin Helme has also engaged in splitting the society and has attacked various social groups.
Minister of Finance Martin Helme and Minister of the Interior Mart Helme gravely attacked democratic elections in the United States of America, Estonia’s main security partner and ally, in a statement they made after the US presidential elections. They attacked our major ally’s domestic political right to self-determination and the newly elected president personally. Mart and Martin Helme’s unfounded accusations regarding US election fraud and their personal attacks towards the US president-elect Joseph R. Biden are unfounded, immoral and completely inappropriate for a member of Government. With such a statement, Mart and Martin Helme have caused extraordinarily severe damage to Estonia’s foreign and security policy interests.
The protection of human rights, the principles of the rule of law and the minorities are in the heart of Estonian foreign policy. By attacking Estonia’s foreign policy course and, besides that, the general principles of liberal democracy and by calling on to decide on the rights of minorities through a referendum, Martin Helme seriously jeopardises the reliability of the Republic of Estonia as a democratic state based on the rule of law in the eyes of the European Union and NATO allies. His activities place our country from the West to the East, and in the case of such an allegiance, we have no reason to expect allies’ support.
Martin Helme has also been continuously attacking the separation of powers, independent investigation, the administration of justice and the press.
“It is clear, having regard to all of the above, that Martin Helme is unsuitable for his office and therefore we propose that the Riigikogu express no confidence in the Minister of Finance,” the motion of no confidence states.
The members of the Riigikogu asked numerous questions of Minister of Finance Martin Helme, requesting for clarifications on the reproaches expressed in the motion of no confidence.
During the debate, Kaja Kallas (Reform Party), Viktor Vassiljev (Centre Party), Siim Pohlak (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) and Indrek Saar (Social Democratic Party) took the floor on behalf of their factions.
The Bill on amendments to this year’s state budget passed the second reading in the Riigikogu.
The Bill on Amendments to the State Budget for 2020 Act (252 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the second reading and was sent to the third reading.
Considering that the State Budget for 2020 Act was prepared in the autumn of the preceding year and some of the funding needs have changed, it is expedient to initiate an amendment of the state budget to achieve more effectively the aims set by state agencies. The Bill (252 SE) covers 85 amendments in total.
According to § 43 of the State Budget Act, in order to amend the state budget without amending the total amount of funds, the Government of the Republic may initiate a draft State Budget Amendment Act not later than two months before the end of the budgetary year.
During the debate, Aivar Sõerd (Reform Party) took the floor.
The Riigikogu heard replies to two interpellations
Prime Minister Jüri Ratas replied to the interpellation concerning the tourism sector support measures (No. 43), submitted by members of the Riigikogu, and Minister of Education and Research Mailis Reps replied to the interpellation concerning the transition to instruction in Estonian (No. 42).
During the open microphone, Peeter Ernits took the floor.
NordenBladet – Tallinn will set aside €86 million for the running and development costs of public transport in 2021 which include the purchase of 100 new gas powered buses. By the end of next year, half of the city’s public transport will be carbon dioxide free.
The budget of Tallinn for 2021 sets aside €86 million towards operating costs of the public transport system and €3.7 million euros towards investments in public transport.
Deputy Mayor Andrei Novikov said on Tuesday that in addition to the 100 gas powered buses that were received this year, 100 more buses running on green gas will join the fleet of the city’s public transport company next year. The cost of the buses inclusive of IT equipment is nearly €30 million, and by the end of next year 50 percent of the city’s public transport will be carbon dioxide free.
In addition, some 10 electric buses will start operating the city’s bus lines as part of a pilot project with manufacturers of electric buses, Novikov said.
Frequencies will be added on more than 10 bus lines next year.
Furthermore, the city will continue to equip bus stops with displays showing real-time information about departures, as well as with shelters. The city is planning to replace shelters made of metal sheets and install new shelters at stops which do not have shelters at present.
The city is also planning to set up new traffic lights to improve traffic safety and to transition to LED traffic lights. Money has been earmarked in the budget also for the installation of 157 traffic counters at road intersections.
Parking lots of the Park and Ride system will be equipped with displays and a feature added to the system enabling to see the number of available parking spaces on one’s smartphone.
State-of-the art infrastructure consisting of parking spaces and gas refueling facilities will be completed at the bus depots of the city’s public transport company on Peterburi Road and Kadaka Avenue. In addition, a new terminal station for buses will be completed on Vana-Louna Street.
The investments in public transport will include an expansion of the school bus project and acquisition of new trams.
NordenBladet —Today, Prime Minister Jüri Ratas received a letter of resignation from Minister of the Interior Mart Helme and delivered it to President Kersti Kaljulaid.
Ratas recognised Helme’s decision to resign. “The United States is our biggest ally and strategic partner and all members of the Estonian government must contribute to maintaining and strengthening the allied relations between Estonia and the US. In the current situation, the resignation of Mart Helme is the only possible option for the government to continue its work and pursuing its foreign policy goals,” said Ratas.
On the proposal of the prime minister, President Kaljulaid will release Mart Helme from office and, following the announcement of a new candidate, appoint a new minister.
NordenBladet — At its sitting today, the Economic Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) approved the motions to amend the Bill regulating tourism. The motions enable the establishments providing accommodation to register their guests electronically and the obligation to preserve visitor’s cards in paper format will be abolished.
Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee Sven Sester said that the possibility to register the users of accommodation services electronically would make the work and life of both the providers of accommodation services and their clients simpler. “Actually, there is no reason why such an amendment could not have been made long ago. The guests would not have to fill in the visitor’s cards at the reception any more, and the information submitted already during making the reservation could be entered on the electronic card,” Sester added.
Member of the Economic Affairs Committee Annely Akkermann pointed out that the amendment would give the accommodation establishments the possibility of not having to the preserve visitor’s cards in paper format, which would be a big step in reducing bureaucracy. “At the same time, the new possibility is not an obligation, and if some hotels feel that registration on paper and preserving paper cards is more convenient for them, they will still have the right to do that,” she explained.
Regardless of whether the guests are registered on paper cards or electronically in the future, the accommodation establishments will still have to preserve the data on guests for two years, as it is required also at present.
The purpose of the Bill on Amendments to the Tourism Act and the Consumer Protection Act (234 SE), initiated by the Government, is to update the requirements for the provision of the accommodation service. The requirements which are not directly necessary or where self-regulation works well, like in the case of quality requirements, are reduced. The definition of the accommodation service and the description of the types of accommodation establishments will be renewed. The second reading of the Bill will be held on 18 November.
NordenBladet —The United States of America is a country with a very strong democracy, whose elections are honest, free, and transparent. Disputes and complaints regarding the election results are resolved in the court, as it is customary in any democratic state. Crude criticism of these processes based on spurious information and fake news is not appropriate for ministers of the Republic of Estonia.
The President-elect Joe Biden, voted for by the American people, is a worthy statesman, who has promised to serve all the people of the United States. He has promised to work hard to bridge the differences arisen in society and heal the rifts that have widened over the years. These are sincere goals which Estonia could also learn from. On behalf of the Republic of Estonia, I congratulated Joe Biden on his election as 46th President of the United States.
Martin Helme, as leader of his political party and the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Estonia, must understand that the United States is an important ally, and indispensable strategic partner, both for Estonia and the European Union. Mart Helme, as Minister of the Interior, should also know very well that making serious accusations without evidence is unacceptable.
The American people vote for their leaders in free elections. For Estonia, strong transatlantic ties and the deepening bilateral defence co-operation with the United States have always been a foreign policy objective, whether a Republican or a Democratic president is in office. Aggressive rhetoric directed against one of our most important allies is therefore extremely irresponsible.
Remarks by Mart Helme and Martin Helme regarding the U.S. elections are not credible and are even absurd. Members of the Estonian Government must be able to remain balanced when commenting on the internal policy of our greatest ally. Mart and Martin Helme must immediately stop undermining Estonian-U.S. relations.
I have conveyed this message directly to the Chairman of the Conservative People´s Party of Estonia.
