Kiik wrote in the directive: "To pay Merike Jürilo €10,480 for her contributions to the healthcare sector of Estonia."

In addition, Jürilo was paid for 17.5 unused vacation days. According to the directive Jürilo's last day of employment is July 1.

Jürilo announced her resignation on June 18 saying she was disappointed by comments made by social minister Tanel Kiik to daily newspaper Postimees (link in Estonian), referring to a lack of trust between the board and the government, as the reason for her resignation.

Jürilo told ERR on June 18: "We have been in close contact with the Minister of Social Affairs throughout the crisis. For me, he has been a key link in cooperation with the government. He has been our representative in the coalition. In that sense, it was sad to hear that of our apparent lack of a trusting relationship."

Kiik told ERR on the same day: "Little questions, misunderstandings, and failures in communcations have helped develop a climate of mistrust between the government and the Health Board. These changes were necessary for there to be a working rhythm for a possible next crisis."

Jürilo had been criticized by different government politicians since the start of the pandemic. The board was reproached for giving the green light to host a volleyball match in Saaremaa which eventually led to the island becoming the hardest hit region worldwide in early March.

Before her resignation, Jürilo was confronted by government politicians on rapid tests donated to the state by businessmen. The Health Board did not think it reasonable to use the tests until a direct order from the government was given.

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