The Government supported the exceptions, as these are events that have a significant economic impact on the Estonian state. These are also extremely important and high-level sporting events in the field of sports. Due to the large number of participants and organisers, it is not possible to organise the events at a sufficiently high level within the current restrictions. Therefore, these sporting events require a special approach from both the Government and the Health Board. The event organisers, in cooperation with the Health Board, have to prepare a risk management plan to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The Estonian Volleyball Federation has received the right to organise the men’s sub-group tournament of the European Golden League in volleyball. The tournament will be attended by the men’s teams from Estonia, Latvia, Spain, and Belgium. The games are scheduled to take place from 28–30 May at the Sports Hall of the University of Tartu. The men’s tournament of the European Golden League in volleyball provides the organisers with the opportunity to gain experience in the COVID-19 situation in organising the European Championship sub-group tournament in Tallinn this September, and our national team the opportunity to prepare for the European Championship final tournament. Since it is a high-level tournament, the Government decided to consider the event a sporting event of overriding public interest.
The WRC stage Rally Estonia is planned to take place from 15–18 July in South Estonia. In 2020, information about Rally Estonia reached 740 million people worldwide. This is both a sporting and economically important event for Estonia. Rally Estonia has the potential to bring a significant number of foreign visitors to Estonia and, therefore, additional tax revenue after the end of the restrictions related to preventing the spread of the coronavirus. In 2019, Rally Estonia hosted more than 50,000 people, of whom nearly 6,500 were foreigners. Admitting spectators to the competition depends on the disease situation in Estonia and the Government will make a relevant decision at the end of June.
Today, the members of the Government made a decision in principle, and the corresponding order is planned to be adopted next week.
The Government also discussed the Võhandu Marathon, which was scheduled for 22 May, but given the current epidemiological situation, it was decided to postpone the event.
