Estonia and Finland plan to lift restrictions on Covid-19 in February / Article

Estonian Health Minister Tanel Kikk points out that the number of Covid-19 patients hospitalized remains relatively stable despite the rapid increase in the number of infected people.

Kīks reports that the omicron variant of Covid-19 currently dominates in Estonia, but only 2 to 3% of the total number of infected people are infected with the most dangerous delta.

“We have signaled that it is time to reduce restrictions. Of course, specific deadlines have yet to be agreed. I think that in February we will be able to lift all the existing restrictions, “Kik said.

He points out that access to places of entertainment and recreation could also be opened to people who, for various reasons, have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 or have not received a booster dose of the vaccine.

The Centre’s party, represented by the Minister, is proposing to revoke Covid-19 vaccination certificates as early as 7 February, reports ERR.ee.

Estonian virology professor Irja Lutsara says that Covid-19 certificates no longer fulfill their original function of limiting the spread of coronavirus. However, they can be used to remind unvaccinated people that they are at risk of serious illness.

“When these certificates were introduced, they were designed to prevent the spread of the virus, and it worked for the delta variant. But now the situation has changed, ”concludes Lutsara.

In her view, restrictions that are not considered justified should be abandoned immediately. “For example, it is currently not possible to go to the rink if you do not have a Covid-19 certificate.”

Kiik says the requirement to use a face mask could remain in place for some time to come, as it reduces the spread of the virus. However, it remains to be seen whether such a requirement should be mandatory or recommendatory.

Toivo Maimets, head of the Estonian government’s scientific council, emphasizes that it should not be surprising that all restrictions have been lifted.

“We still have between 150,000 and 170,000 people who do not have immunity to the virus. “What we can do for a living is to get vaccinated with the third dose, to take away our parents and elderly relatives so that they can be vaccinated.” said Maimets.

In the meantime, Finland also plans to lift the restrictions; Prime Minister Sanna Marina announced on Mondaythat all restrictions on Covid-19 could be lifted in February.

Restrictions on entry into Finland will be lifted from Tuesday. Until now, migrants, including those from the European Union and the Schengen area, have had to present a Covid-19 certificate as well as a negative Covid-19 test. Hereinafter these requirements will no longer apply to EU and Schengen nationals.

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