The spread of the Omicron variant of Covid may soon reach its peak, University of Tartu statistician Professor Krista Fischer says. She also urged caution in lifting any restrictions, in an interview given to ERR which follows.
The coronavirus omicron strain has created a record number of infections. Nevertheless, several countries have already decided to remove the restrictions, and in the last week, questions have been raised in Estonia about the restrictions and testing procedures in force.
Minister of Health and Labor Tanel Kiik (Center) said that the COVID-19 scientific advisory body has recommended against restoring antigen rapid test results as a way to gain access to restaurants and entertainment venues.
A recommendation made by the government's coronavirus advisory board that proof of negative Covid antigen rapid test results should not be restored as a means of gaining access to restaurants and other venues alongside the existing proof of vaccination is just that – a recommendation and one of several opinions on the issue, and not binding on the government, the Center Party's Riigikogu group chair Jaanus Karilaid says.
Former government scientific council chief virology professor Irja Lutsar told ERR in an interview that she considers it reasonable to allow people entry to events if they go through coronavirus testing, since the Omicron variant has changed the epidemiological situation.