The project named "EU solidarity with the Russian civil society: assistance to elderly people and adults with disabilities" aims to help adults with disabilities via non-profit organisations maintain access to essential goods and services, such as food and essential goods, psychological and medical counselling and care services.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday a total of €500,000 has been contributed to the project and grants are open for applications by Russian civil society organisations until the end of May 2021.

The ministry wrote: "It is important to help vulnerable groups cope both during and after the pandemic. With this project, we can support the continued everyday functions of those in need and reduce the risk of their increased vulnerability due to the coronavirus."

In addition to the joint contribution of the European Union, Estonia, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, France and Switzerland have made separate contributions.

As of July 17, there have been 752,797 cases of COVID-19 announced in Russia, with 11,937 deaths. While the high point of new cases was in May, there are still more than 6,000 new cases a day in Russia.

"Aktuaalne kaamera" (AK) reported that last week, about 700 people in a day crossed the Estonian-Russian border. Russia lifted the 2-week quarantine requirement for foreign arrivals earlier this week. The number of border crossers has now increased to 800 people a day. 

The Health Board does not see a problem in the current situation as the number of people infected with COVID-19 between the travelers of Russia and Estonia is small. 

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