Vaccination pressure mounting

Starting from October 25, people will no longer be able to access establishments and venues with a negative coronavirus test result in place of a vaccination or recovery certificate. Photo: Urmas Luik / Pärnu Postimees

The government on Monday decided to order additional coronavirus restrictions. For example, a negative test result will no longer replace a Covid certificate in some establishments. A simplified quarantine procedure will enter into force after the October school break in which taking an antigen rapid test before a PCR test is no longer necessary. The age limit on testing will also be lifted.

Starting from October 25, people will no longer be able to access establishments and venues with a negative coronavirus test result in place of a vaccination or recovery certificate. The measure will initially remain in effect until January 10. People are strongly urged to wear a mask also in establishments that check certificates, with the Health Board given power to shut down those that fail to do so.

“We have a hospital problem, hospitals are filling up,” Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reform) said at the press conference, adding that most people hospitalized with the coronavirus have not been vaccinated. The PM said that hospitals are working at peak capacity and are under a great deal of pressure. “Over 94 percent of people in the ICU are unvaccinated, which is why we need to restrict their movement as it entails a very high risk,” the PM added.

Kallas emphasized that Estonia will not be paying individuals to get vaccinated as it might not have the desired effect. “It could motivate people to postpone vaccination until the benefit is made available or even wait for it to be hiked,” she said. The prime minister explained that restrictions have been ordered until January 10 as the period fits Christmas and New Year’s parties. “People need to be sent the signal that if they want to attend Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, they need to be vaccinated.”

New quarantine rules for schools

Minister of Education and Research Liina Kersna (Reform) told Postimees that isolation rules are changing if only in that the entire class will no longer be treated as close contacts when a student takes ill. “We want to arrive at close contacts being people who have spent at least 15 minutes inside two meters of an infected person,” Kersna said, adding that this approach is used in Germany, Austria and the Nordics.

“Schools currently have a lot of close contacts, which is putting pressure on school nurses who are required to administer tests,” the education minister said. Students deemed close contacts currently have to get a rapid antigen test at school and a PCR test three days later. “The high general infection rate means PCR test results are needed right away, which is what close contacts will be doing as soon as possible,” adviser to the minister Mario Kadastik said.

Simplified quarantine procedure will be used in both general and hobby education. “Close contacts in all stages of study will be sent to get a PCR test and allowed to continue attending class if the result is negative,” Kadastik said. “If the parent does not take their child in for a PCR test, they must quarantine for 10 days as per general procedure,” Kersna noted.

School nurses freed up to offer vaccines

School nurses now have more time to concentrate on vaccination. “While nurses had to coordinate antigen testing until now, close contacts will be sent in for a PCR test right away. This will free up school nurses for other activities, including vaccination,” Kadastik said. The education minister added that rapid antigen tests can be administered without the presence of nurses and that any adult supervision will suffice.

Teachers for whom six months have passed from their second vaccine dose can get a booster shot from school nurses after the October break.

Coronavirus indicators critical

The virus has spread predominantly among young and middle-aged people in recent weeks. “We know that children under the age of 12 are not as likely to carry the virus,” Kadastik said. However, they can still take it home and infect their parents if they are unvaccinated. Minister Kersna said that the infection is widespread in society, while the general vaccination rate remains very low. “Children exhibiting cold symptoms must not be sent to school. We must all be attentive and keep an eye on children’s condition as parents.” The minister added that schools should also take other measures now, including social distancing, airing out premises and having teachers wear a mask.

Member of the COVID-19 scientific advisory body, University of Tartu professor of mathematical statistics Krista Fischer perceived a link between vaccination and young people coming down with Covid. While every other elderly person is vaccinated, the difference between immunized and unvaccinated young people is tenfold. “Looking at the first weeks of October, around 100 vaccinated children and 2,328 unvaccinated children aged 12-19 have been diagnosed. Young people who decided to get vaccinated in summer have very strong protection today, in light of the current situation,” Fischer said.

Incentives

Performance pay of up to €5 million will be reserved for family medicine practices that manage to boost vaccination coverage in the 60+ age group. Practices are looking at additional income of €5.30 per shot for every 120 vaccines administered weekly that grows to €10.60 for medical centers that vaccinate 121 or more people. Local governments are looking at an extra €5 per shot if they manage to boost general vaccination rate by 10+ percent to which another €5 per shot will be added as the vaccination rate exceeds 80 percent. The measure will remain in effect until the end of the year, with €11.5 million earmarked. Hospitals are looking at additional support in the volume of €11.7 million.

Members of the Estonian Traders Association have entered into a voluntary agreement to take tougher measures for containing the spread of the coronavirus. According to the agreement, customers not wearing a mask will be refused service. The association covers all major shopping centers, supermarket chains, grocery and hardware stores in Estonia.