0 >Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (left) with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, during an earlier meeting. Source: Government of the Republic of Estonia .
Outgoing Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (Center) suggested to his Finnish counterpart Sanna Marin that coronavirus testing on cross-channel ferries between the two countries should be made more efficient, with data-sharing stepped up as well.
Speaking on the phone to Marin Friday as part of a larger virtual meeting of EU leaders, Ratas said that travel for work and study purposes – which ground to a halt during the original spring coronavirus wave – should be kept running as much as possible, adding that Marin agreed to cooperate with free testing and results-sharing.
A government-requested survey says the government has generally done well with its coronavirus measures, with most respondents saying they are well informed enough about the measures, and nearly two thirds saying they would take a coronavirus vaccine once one were available to them.
The survey, conducted in the second week of January by pollsters Turu-uuringute, found a similar number of respondents, 66 percent, saw the current situation as critical, a figure largely unchanged from similar polls conducted in November and December.
The 63 percent who said they were open to getting a vaccine includes those who are fully decided, and those who have not fully made up their minds but would probably get inoculated (roughly a 50-50 split).
The government is to make a decision on a support scheme for businesses in Harju County, including Tallinn, as well as Ida-Viru County, who have suffered as a result of the pandemic and related restrictions, which are more stringent in those two regions.
The compensation, should it be approved, will be channeled via the Unemployment Insurance Fund (Töötukassa) and will be aimed at helping employers shoulder wage costs for December, particularly in the entertainment, hospitality and recreation sectors.
Social affairs minister Tanel Kiik (Center) said a decision on the measure, which will cost an estimated €16 million, will likely be made during a cabinet meeting, via remote link-up, Wednesday evening.
0 >Estonia s first COVID-19 vaccine was given to resident-doctor Jelena Rozinko in Kohtla-Järve in Ida-Viru County on December 27. Source: Sergei Stepanov/ERR
Coronavirus vaccinations for all those who desire it is not feasible by the target date of the end of June 2021, daily Postimees says. However, the paper was unable to get concrete information on when and whether delivery rates would be met.
Several private sector firms are involved at various stages of EU procurement processes for the COVID-19 vaccine, so the issue is a moving target already. Once priority people have received the injection, administering inoculation to the rest of the populace also hinges on how many people actually request it; at present the vaccine is optional and is not mandatory for all citizens and residents.
Government restrictions were made only after consulting with the experts, the prime minister said at a press conference Thursday which also set out coronavirus restrictions for the rest of this year.
These will include virtual lock-down in Ida-Viru County, but sporting and leisure activities will be permitted in small groups everywhere else.
Additionally, schools, though they have to close from Monday, can choose for themselves whether or not they want to engage in remote learning from Monday to what would have been the end of term.
The government also pledged support measures for businesses hit by the latest raft of restrictions, though not to the full extent of lost business.