Postimees Digest, Thursday, March 28
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New law to overhaul child protection.
The Ministry of Social Affairs is working on a new version of the Child Protection Act that aims to create a child protection final beneficiary with the Social Insurance Board and complement the system with four regional child protection units to act as intermediaries between local and county child protection workers. The new law will also obligate people working with children to report cases of abuse or children who are in desperate need of help under pain of fines.
Authors of the law are also considering a ban on leaving children under the age of 3 home alone and an obligation for parents to know the location of their children and who they are with at all times and to assess whether that environment is suitable for them.
Riigikogu legalizes online sale of drugs.
The Riigikogu passed an amendment of the Medicinal Products Act yesterday making it possible for people to buy medicines online and via mail order. Purchase of prescription drugs online will require a digital prescription and ID card authentication.
Permits to sell drugs online or via mail order will only be given to certified pharmacies. The Estonian Pharmacies Association welcomed the amendment with open arms and said that internet sales will definitely increase availability of medicinal products and make life easier for people who do not live near a pharmacy. The association also said the amendment will contribute to people's privacy as clients can place orders online instead of feeling embarrassed asking for certain drugs in the pharmacy.
Estonian police happy with record low road toll
Road accidents in Estonia have caused no deaths in March and the number of fatalities in the period since the beginning of the year is almost seven times lower than a year ago, the daily Postimees said.
Tarmo Miilits, deputy director of the Police and Border Guard Board, said that the last fatal road accident in Estonia took place in Viljandi on February 26 and the present period is the most peaceful in road traffic in the past half-century.
He said that if last year was second after 2011 in terms of positive road casualty statistics, then this year definitely is the most peaceful year in the past 50 years.
Hiring foreign specialists to Estonia becomes easier
Ministry of the Interior is seeking coordination for a draft Act simplifying hiring employees from third countries i.e. those from outside EU, as well as entrance conditions for foreign students.
With draft Act to amend Aliens Act, Identity Documents Act and State Fees Act, Estonia seeks to promote arrival, short stay and permanent residence of foreigners with input into development of Estonian society.
The draft Act does not concern citizens of an EU member state, European Economic Area or Swiss Confederation.
Crushed jawbone pulverises European Championships hopes
The week-end Estonian Karate Championships proved quite a nightmare for Lauri Mengel, seeking his 10th individual gold medal, cancelling the rest of his season.
With Mr Mengel, four men were competing in heavyweight, over 84 kg category. In the first semi-final of the day, Mr Mengel (28) faced Virko Vaiksaar, the match ending with a trip to hospital.
«There was an accident,» said Mr Mengel, hardly able to speak. «A sportsman unknown to me gave real tough blows and the worst happened – jawbone broke.»