As the number of Covid-19 infections of the coronavirus increases, restrictions are being tightened in the Baltic Sea region to improve the epidemiological situation. For the first time since the start of the pandemic, national restrictions have been announced by the Swedish government. In Estonia, too, stricter restrictions apply again this week, but in Lithuania the need to extend the general quarantine is already being considered.
IN SHORT:
- Researchers at the University of Tartu: Covid-19 could affect 0.4% of the population in Estonia.
- In Estonia, new restrictions on gathering people in public places.
- General quarantine in Lithuania since 7 November; allows for its extension.
- In Sweden, no more than 8 people will be allowed to gather at public events.
- Violators in Sweden will face up to six months in prison.
Restrictions on Covid-19 are being tightened in the Baltic Sea regionUldis Ķezberis00:00 / 03:17
–At the end of October, the epidemiological situation of Covid-19 in Estonia was much better than in Latvia and Lithuania. While in Lithuania and Latvia the anti-record of daily registered infections was regularly exceeded, in Estonia the infection rates were relatively low.
However, the number of people infected there has also risen sharply this month. Recent data show that there have been 218.59 cases of Covid-19 infection per 100,000 population in Estonia in the last 14 days. For comparison, in the last two weeks, 234.6 infected people per 100,000 inhabitants have been registered in Latvia.
Scientists at the University of Tartu claim that the coronavirus is now more widespread in Estonia than ever before.
Their estimates suggest that about 0.4% of the country’s population may be infected with Covid-19.
In order to reduce the spread of the virus, new restrictions on gathering people in public places have been in force in Estonia since Monday. Catering establishments and entertainment venues may not be open for more than midnight, but shops and shopping centers may not carry more than two persons together, who must keep a distance of at least two meters from each other. It is mandatory to wear a face and nose mask in public transport, shops and entertainment venues, writes “The Baltic Course”.
In Lithuania, a general quarantine has been in place since 7 November, during which the population is subject to various restrictions on assembly and movement. The government’s decision stipulates that the quarantine will last until midnight on November 29. However, the persistently high rates of Covid-19 infection have forced members of the Lithuanian government to issue warnings that the general quarantine regime will have to be extended. However, epidemiologists say that the spread of coronavirus is gradually slowing down.
Sweden has so far been one of the few European countries not to impose strict restrictions, but to advise the population to be careful not to spread the coronavirus.
On Monday, November 16, the Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Leven announcedthat no more than eight people will be allowed to gather at public events from 24 November. Public events will be considered to require the permission of the authorities, such as theater performances, lectures, concerts and sporting events. Violators will face up to six months in prison.
Leven called on the people to be responsible and to observe restrictions in private events as well.
“It will get worse. Do your duty and be responsible for stopping the spread of the infection.
I say again – it will get bad. Therefore, there should be no situation where more than eight people gather in one place, even if they are not formally covered by law.
This is the new norm for the whole society, for all Swedes. Do not go to the gym. Do not go to the library. Don’t dine outside the home. Don’t be afraid. Cancel it all, “Leven said.
The new restrictions will be in force in Sweden for at least four weeks.
–
Highlight text and press Ctrl+Enterto send the text to be edited!
Highlight text and press Report a bug buttons to send the text to be edited!
–
–
