PANDEMIC

Estonia bans eating in Tallinn restaurants as case numbers rise

A café in Tallinn. Photo: Pixabay.

Church services can continue, but only at 50% capacity.

Estonia on Monday imposed tighter restrictions on public life in a bid to stem rising numbers of coronavirus cases.

Restaurants in the capital Tallinn and surrounding areas are allowed to serve takeaway food only, while leisure, cultural, entertainment and sports facilities must remain closed.

Events and gatherings indoors are prohibited, while outdoor gatherings are to be limited to a maximum of 10 people.

Church services can continue, but only at 50% capacity.

The restrictions, which were already in place in the badly hit Ida-Virumaa region in the north-east of the Baltic country, will remain in place until at least 17 January.

Support for companies

Estonia's government also approved state aid of 23 million euros (28 million dollars) to support companies in the affected industries.

Estonia, with its 1.3 million inhabitants, has registered a significant increase in new coronavirus cases in recent months.

The country has recorded a total of almost 26,000 infections since the beginning of the pandemic, with 213 related deaths.