My idea Baltic-Oasis to Governments for reopening internal regional borders in Covid19 times (Strategies for lockdown release)

Essentially it is important to understand that the gradual release of the lockdown, the so called phase 2 during Corona time, does not mean reduction of care for health. On the contrary it will require more regional monitoring, more individual attention, more covid-tests on population, and more improvement of the statistics. However some areas may reopen the borders, keeping close the external still, like I see possible from now for the Baltic countries. De-facto, the question is not the micro-border but the policy and health-care only. It means, for this summer you can stay home, or stay in your country, or go to the neighbour country under specific conditions. I - as advocate of the movement Smart&DigitalCities - am working with passion and care on strategies we need at this time.

Here the copy of my letter to Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian governments (https://www.facebook.com/DRJanetschek/posts/137629381163915), that so far has produces about >90% in favor. But others might have misunderstood, worried about opening borders too early. Some of them where even discriminating the neighbour because has 10 or 20 deaths more than the other...

I′d like to invite the great Baltic Governments (Jüri Ratas - Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs / V?lisministeerium - Ministru kabinets / Government of Latvia - Kri?jānis Kari?? - Gitanas Naus?da - Lietuvos ambasada Latvijoje / Lietuvas vēstniecība Latvijā) to open the internal borders of the sister Baltic countries Estonia Latvia and Lithuania already without need of written application. However keeping the external borders still close. This should not be seen as a reduction of the fight against Covid19. No. The virus will stay around at least until 2022 with need of clear policies and specific restrictions. But I want to consider the similar low level of Corona-Virus of these 3 nations, the already demonstrated best discipline of the Baltic people in social distancing and the small population in large territory. You both are since 16th March in quarantine. Opening the internal borders will not affect the statistics: those are depending on the policies and covid-tests, not on the internal borders. This concept will help to fight against the economical disruption of the year. Vacations and business exchange between the 3 countries should be immediately possible obviously keeping fix the 2 m distance and the masks-use whenever needed. In my technical opinion Lux Express and ECOLINES should be allowed already to restart the INTERNATIONAL LINES between Tallinn-Riga-Vilnius also keeping the sea-resort of P?rnu, Palanga and Klaipeda stops open. The carriers should promise just to keep at the moment the bus not over 50% of the capacity, alternate free seats and "special care" targeting full disinfection of the internal furniture after each tour. I also would recommend the use of masks in bus mandatory for all, and the exclusion of "coughing" passengers from the beginning (eventually a fever check before getting on with right of refusal of the "apparently sick" passenger and update of the carrier-policy) to prevent accidents as much as we can. Hand-washing at the entrance through alcohol-gel provided by the carrier is also recommended. Hotels could also reopen, under health-authority control, if they can promise a clear anticovid policy in house, and just to host "local healthy travellers" at the moment. Let′s give fresh air to the Baltics now, and still fighting against Corona-spread, efficiently, smart, through a common Baltic-regional control and more covid-tests on your population. Internal close borders will not help. At least you can save more work places and reduce loss. I am sure Baltic can do great and give example to other countries this time. The key: everything should be based on clear rules, clear "public" policies, so that people, workers and internal tourists can trust and feel safe already from this spring. The building "trust", the improvement of the internal "reputation" and the generation of this new concept - I could define "a Baltic oasis" - might be not only extremely good for the "regional Baltic exchange" but also rebuild plenty of connections between Baltic people, sometimes so close and so distanced. You can create a new unified symbol for tourism whenever Europe will reopen all Borders steps by step. Just do remind: step by step with control. They will all notice what Baltic States are doing now. Do play your cards now. Next steps will be agreement with Finland and Poland, with alliance, common policies for a stronger Baltic area. I will continue influencing on that direction. This will generate several initiatives and development "made-in-Baltic".