OREANDA-NEWS  The Estonian Ministry of Finance has sent a plan to the government to further tighten the rules for crossing the border with Russia.

"It will be possible to cross the state border through automobile border checkpoints in Southeastern Estonia and carry out cargo transportation only during the daytime. The Luhamaa crossing is proposed to be closed to pedestrians," the press service of the country's finance ministry said on Friday.

According to the proposal, the border crossing in Koidula (on the Russian side of Kunichina Gora) will be open from 5 a.m. to 22 p.m., and customs clearance of goods will be possible from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The change will not affect the railway checkpoint in Koidula.

It is proposed to leave the checkpoint in Luhamaa (on the Russian side of Shumilkino) open from 7:00 to 19:00. But it will become completely closed to pedestrians.

The restrictions are justified by the need to strengthen control over sub-sanctioned goods, as well as to ensure traffic safety.

"The revision of the border crossing operation regime follows from the principle confirmed by the Estonian state in April 2022 that economic relations with Russia should be minimized, as well as from the sanctions policy adopted last year," said Finance Minister Mart Vorklaev.

Currently, there are three land passenger crossings in Estonia. Of these, the government had previously transferred the work of the most in-demand in the city of Narva (on the Russian side of Ivangorod) to daytime operation only, which led to long queues at the checkpoint.

The Koidula and Luhamaa crossings are still fully operational.