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International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Friday, 29.03.2024, 03:36

Restriction on opening air routes from Estonia extended until end-August

BC, Tallinn, 27.07.2020.Print version
The Estonian government has ruled to extend the restriction on the opening of air services from Estonia to countries with a high coronavirus risk until the end of August 2020, informs LETA/BNS.

"There have been new outbreaks of coronavirus in several countries in recent weeks. Therefore we see that the regular review of the restriction every two weeks is too frequent at the moment and will extend the restriction by a whole month. This enables also the airlines to better plan their activities," Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Taavi Aas said in a press release on Monday.


In permitting and prohibiting the opening of air services, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications acts based on the rates of infection in different countries, which must be 25 cases or less per 100,000 inhabitants in the past 14 days for an air service to be opened. The ministry subjects the epidemiological situation in the countries of destination to a review together with the Health Board on a regular basis and permits or restricts the opening of air routes in accordance with the spread of the virus. 


"The European Union has given its recommendations concerning the opening of air traffic to third countries. Some member states heed them, some do not. I believe that we should be careful as new outbreaks of the virus can be seen in many countries. In several countries, such as Ukraine, the situation is gradually improving, yet opening a route there immediately may be a rushed move," Aas said.


As at July 24, it is forbidden to open direct air services from Estonia to Luxembourg, Romania, Bulgaria, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, Croatia and Russia. The opening of air connections also depends on the rules valid in the country of destination.


Just like in Estonia, restrictions apply to entry into other countries that should be taken into consideration when planning travel.


The restriction is valid from May 18 through Aug. 31.






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