Dear community,

The outbreak of COVID-19 disease, caused by a novel Coronavirus, started in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The outbreak has gradually spread throughout all mainland China and has affected several other neighbouring as well as distant countries (https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases).

However, the risk of infection is not the same for all affected countries – only countries with sustained community transmission present a significant risk of infection. See the updated list of areas with presumed community transmission (Source: ECDC): https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/areas-presumed-ongoing-community-transmission-2019-ncov.

In accordance with the recommendations of the Estonian Health Board (Terviseamet), the Ministry of Education and Research, and the Office of the Secretary-General of the European Schools, we strongly advise all families and staff members returning from risk exposure countries or areas* to notify the school administration at info@est.edu.ee, to stay at home when possible, to monitor their health and to come back to school not sooner than 14 days after the date of their return on the condition that the whole family remains asymptomatic. All travels to these countries and areas should be avoided when possible.

The Estonian Health Board has created a dedicated webpage in English with lots of relevant information and recommendations for people coming back or travelling to risk areas. We invite everyone to visit it regularly.

*As of today, March 9th, the risk areas include the People’s Republic of China, Italy, Iran, Japan, and South Korea. Please make sure to control the list of risk areas regularly as it evolves frequently!

Please visit the following website for more information, updates and pieces of advice:

• Information from the Estonian Health Board (Terviseamet).
• Guidelines for students, parents and schools from the Ministry of Education and Research.
• Information from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
• Advice for the public from the World Health Organization.
• Communications from the Office of the Secretary-General of the European Schools.

If you have any questions regarding your health, you can call the family physician advisory line 1220 or +372 634 6630 (you can also call from abroad).

We thank you for your understanding and close cooperation to ensure a safe and healthy environment at our school and will keep you updated.

Information updated on Wednesday 11 March.