The Estonian government has announced that border checkpoints with Russia will remain closed at night for the next three months, and restrictions on border crossings will also remain in force in Narva, writes ERR News.
Since the 24th of February, all traffic at the Luhamaa and Koidula border checkpoints has been closed at night, and the border could be crossed from seven in the morning to seven in the evening. Now the government has decided to extend the restrictions, which were adopted after repeated border violations by the Russian side, until the 31st of August.
In Narva, the time during which pedestrians can cross the border will be shortened. Until now, this could be done from seven in the morning to eleven in the evening, but from June 15, the border will be allowed to be crossed from seven in the morning to seven in the evening.
Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro said that the decision taken three months ago was appropriate and should remain in force. The minister’s statement said that over the past three months, the Russian side has not shown goodwill with its behavior, and therefore Estonians do not plan to ease the border regime. Those who need to cross the border have adapted, while
the border guard can use human resources where it is most needed.
Taro said that the 12-hour working hours at all border checkpoints with Russia allow for logical planning of human resources, including the Tax and Customs Department.
The minister stressed that decisions regarding the Russian border were not made in a hurry. Since the introduction of restrictions, the number of border crossings in Luhamaa has decreased by 20%, while in Koidula it has increased by 6%.
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