Estonian govt approves extending restrictions until mid-May

TALLINN - The Estonian government at its sitting on Thursday approved a proposal to extend valid coronavirus related restrictions from May 9 until May 16. 

Spokespeople for the government said that the government endorsed a regulation which, due to the epidemiological situation, extends the restrictions for the containment of the coronavirus from May 9 through May 16.

Restrictions must be observed which are related to indoor and outdoor sports, youth work, hobby activities and hobby education, refresher training and continuing education.

Restrictions also apply to the organization of sports competitions and sports and sports for all events. Saunas, spas, swimming pools, water parks and swimming pools for public use must be closed to guests, with exceptions already provided for in the past. Indoor public meetings, public events, including conferences, theater, concerts and cinema, and provision of indoor entertainment services are not permitted. Outdoors it is permitted if participation of no more than 10 people in the group is ensured and the total number of participants does not exceed 150. These activities and events are not allowed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Food service establishments can only sell food for take-away, eating and drinking is permitted on outdoor terraces, but in a group of no more than 10 people, and observing the maximum occupancy and opening hours rules. Restrictions and measures are in place also with regard to trading and the provision of services.

According to the explanatory remarks accompanying the draft, leaving the restrictions in place is necessary. 

"In addition, it is difficult at present to predict the impact of the changes that entered into force on May 3 on infection indicators. Further changes to the restrictions can only be made if, two weeks after the restrictions were eased, the infection multiplier remains steadily below one and infection continues to be on a downward trend. Therefore, no new relaxations of the restrictions and measures are possible at the moment," government spokespeople said.