"Right now you can go to a restaurant in a group of up to 10 people, enjoy parties and experience cultural events," Lanno told daily Eesti Päevaleht (EPL), referring to Friday's announcement that the "10+1" rule (maximum 10 people, minimum two meters between people in public – ed.) will apply from Monday.

However, Lanno told EPL (link in Estonian), this needed to be borne in mind if more stringent regulations were to be avoided.

"Society needs to understand that adherence to every set rule is extremely important," Lanno continued.

Another trigger for more far-reaching restrictions would be a continued rise in hospitalizations, he said, adding that the latest moment of truth would be around two or three weeks from now.

Lanno also said that the public should hang in there for January, adding that a pending vaccine – of which he said there were over 200 varieties being developed – would at least make certain groups sufficiently resistant to the virus.

Figures released by the Health Board have seen new coronavirus cases in the hundreds each day, through much of November.

-- 

Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update!