Under the preamble of § 28 (2) and under § 28 (6) of the Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Act and considering § 28 (2) 2) and 3), § 28 (5) 2) and 3) and § 28 (8) of the same, the following restrictions are imposed:
[RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 - entry into force 15.01.2021]
1. A person who has crossed the state border for the purpose of entering Estonia shall remain in their place of residence or permanent place of stay for 10 calendar days after arrival in Estonia.
[RT III, 29.10.2020, 2 - entry into force 30.10.2020]
11. A person who crosses the state border for the purpose of entering Estonia and who arrives from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland shall have taken, up to 72 hours before arrival in the country, a test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease which came back negative, and shall remain in their place of residence or permanent place of stay for 10 calendar days after arrival in Estonia. If a person has not taken a test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease up to 72 hours before arrival in the country, that person shall take a test promptly after arrival in Estonia. If a person refuses to be tested, the measures and restrictions provided for in § 27 (1) 1) and 2) of the Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Act may be applied to them. The requirement set out in this clause for being tested does not apply to children under 12 years of age.
[RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 - entry into force 15.01.2021]
2. The 10-calendar-day restriction referred to in clauses 1 and 11 does not apply if:
1) up to 72 hours before arrival in the country a person took a test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease and the results of that test came back negative and, following arrival in Estonia, no earlier than on the sixth day after the first test the person takes a second test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease and the results of that test also come back negative or a physician declares the person not to be contagious. Until the test has come back negative the person is required to remain in their place of residence or permanent place of stay;
2) a person who failed to take a test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease up to 72 hours before arrival in the country took the test promptly after arrival in Estonia and the results of that test came back negative and no earlier than on the sixth day after the initial test the person takes a second test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease and the results of that test also come back negative or a physician declares the person not to be contagious. Until the test has come back negative the person is required to remain in their place of residence or permanent place of stay.
[RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 - entry into force 15.01.2021]
3. A person referred to in clauses 1 and 11 may leave their place of residence or permanent place of stay provided the person takes measures imposed by the Government of the Republic or the Health Board and all other possible measures for preventing the possible spread of the communicable disease and complies with such measures and the following circumstances occur:
1) the person is given an order by a health care professional or a police officer to leave their place of residence or permanent place of stay;
2) the person leaves their place of residence or permanent place of stay because a health care professional has referred them to receive health services or in the event of an emergency that puts the person’s life or health at risk;
3) the person performs urgent and inevitably necessary duties by a decision of their employer and up to 72 hours before arrival in the country or after arrival in the country the person has taken at least one test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease, the results of which came back negative;
4) the person attends an urgent family occasion and up to 72 hours before arrival in the country or after arrival in the country the person has taken at least one test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease, the results of which came back negative;
5) the person is getting the everyday essentials near their place of residence or place of stay because it is otherwise impossible;
6) the person is outdoors and completely avoids contact with other persons;
7) the person has signed a statement of compliance with instructions issued by the Health Board and applicable requirements, thereby confirming their obligation to comply with the above requirements.
The provisions of sub-clause 3) of this clause do not apply to a person referred to in clause 11.
[RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 - entry into force 15.01.2021]
31. [Repealed - RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 - entry into force 15.01.2021]
4. The provisions of clauses 1 through 3 do not apply to asymptomatic persons:
1) who are employees of a diplomatic mission or a consular post of a foreign country or the Republic of Estonia or their family members or holders of an Estonian diplomatic passport;
2) who arrive in the Republic of Estonia in the framework of international military cooperation;
3) who are members of foreign delegations arriving in the Republic of Estonia for the performance of duties on the invitation of a state or local authority;
4) who are directly involved in transporting goods and raw products, including loading of goods or raw products, and who arrive in Estonia for the performance of duties;
5) who arrive in Estonia for the purpose of providing health services or other services necessary for responding to an emergency;
6) who are directly involved in international carriage of goods and passengers, including a crew member and a ship’s crew member servicing an international means of transport and a person performing repairs or warranty or maintenance work on such a means of transport, and who arrive in Estonia for the performance of duties;
7) whose purpose for arriving in the Republic of Estonia is directly related to the provision of passenger transport services and who are servicing travel groups;
8) whose purpose for arriving in the Republic of Estonia is related to ensuring the continuity of a vital service;
9) who are using the territory of the Republic of Estonia for immediate transit;
10) who are nationals, residents or long-stay visa holders of a Member State of the European Union or a Schengen Member State or an EEA country or the Swiss Confederation or the Principality of Andorra or the Principality of Monaco or the Republic of San Marino or the Vatican City State (Holy See) or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or their family members and who arrive in the Republic of Estonia from said countries and who have been in one or several of said countries for the past 10 days in succession, provided the cumulative number of positive tests for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease per 100,000 inhabitants in said countries for the past 14 days is equal to or less than 150. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes information on the morbidity rates by country on its website;
11) who are persons referred to in sub-clause 10) or persons who are residents of a third country, according to the laws of that country, for which information has been released on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter European Union green list) and who arrive in Estonia from said country, provided the cumulative number of positive tests for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease per 100,000 inhabitants in said country for the past 14 days is equal to or less than 16;
12) who arrive from a third country that is not on the European Union green list for the purpose of work or studies in an educational institution registered in Estonia, unless in the country from where they arrive and under whose laws they are deemed to be its residents or are deemed to stay there legally the cumulative number of positive tests for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease per 100,000 inhabitants for the past 14 days is greater than 16 or unless the above information is not available for that country and there is a high risk of the virus spreading in that country. In that case the sponsor of such a person is required to ensure in cooperation with that person that the latter can stay in their place of residence or permanent place of stay for 10 calendar days after arrival in Estonia and be tested for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 immediately after arrival in Estonia and re-tested no earlier than on the sixth day after the first test. A person who is an athlete, a coach or a team member from a third country referred to in this sub-clause and who has an employment relationship with a club playing in Estonian championship league or who is involved in an athlete’s everyday training activities at the Estonian league level or who participates in an international championship as an athlete or an athlete’s team member or who is directly involved in carrying out aforesaid sports competition may perform urgent and inevitably necessary duties by a decision of their employer if after arrival in the country the person has taken at least one test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease, the results of which came back negative.
[RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 - entry into force 15.01.2021]
41. [Repealed - RT III, 09.10.2020, 1 - entry into force 12.10.2020]
42. The provisions of clauses 1 through 3 are not applied to asymptomatic persons who have been in the territory of the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Finland or the Republic of Estonia for the past 10 days in succession and who arrive in the Republic of Estonia from the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Latvia or the Republic of Finland if the cumulative number of positive tests for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease per 100,000 inhabitants for the past 14 days in said countries is greater than 150 and up to 72 hours before arrival in the country they took a test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease which came back negative or they took the test promptly after arrival in Estonia and the results of that test came back negative. Until the test has come back negative the person is required to remain in their place of residence or permanent place of stay. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes information on the morbidity rates in those countries on its website.
[RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 - entry into force 15.01.2021]
43. The provisions of clauses 1 through 3 and clause 42 are not applied to asymptomatic persons whose place of residence is in the administrative territory of the local authorities of Valga in the Republic of Estonia or Valka in the Republic of Latvia and who cross the state border between the Republic of Estonia and the Republic of Latvia on the condition that they will not go beyond the borders of the administrative territory of the local authorities of Valga and Valka, respectively.
[RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 - entry into force 15.01.2021]
44. [Repealed - RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 - entry into force 15.01.2021]
45. The provisions of clauses 1 through 3 and clause 42 are not applied to asymptomatic persons who have been in the territory of the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Finland or the Republic of Estonia for the past 10 days in succession and who arrive in the Republic of Estonia from the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Latvia or the Republic of Finland and if they arrive in the Republic of Estonia from the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Latvia or the Republic of Finland for the purpose of working, studying or receiving health services or for family reasons or transit.
[RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 - entry into force 15.01.2021]
5. [Repealed - RT III, 04.09.2020, 1 - entry into force 04.09.2020]
6. The provisions of clauses 1 through 3 do not apply to asymptomatic persons who participate in a public event referred to in clause 7 as an artist or who are directly involved in carrying out the event or who participate in a sports competition or a sports event as an athlete or an athlete’s team member or who are directly involved in carrying out a sports competition or a sports event.
[RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 - entry into force 15.01.2021]
7. Public events, sports competitions and sports and exercise events if the requirements established for the participants differ from those set out in this Order are allowed on the following conditions:
[RT III, 08.01.2021, 1 - entry into force 11.01.2021]
1) there is an overriding public or national interest in the relevant event;
2) the local authority of the location of the event has provided an opinion on the activity;
3) the Health Board has provided an opinion on the suitability of the risk management plan drawn up by the organiser of the event for preventing the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease.
8. The Health Board shall establish necessary restrictions on the freedom of movement of the persons referred to in clause 6.
81. In public indoor spaces, up to two persons may be and move around together while keeping at least two metres of distance from others. This restriction does not apply to families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured and in cases provided for in sub-clause 1) of clause 91 and sub-clause 1) of clause 10. For the purposes of this Order, public indoor space means a space that has been given to the disposal of unspecified people or that is at the disposal of unspecified people or in which unspecified people are allowed to be; among other things, public transport vehicles are also public indoor space.
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
82. In public indoor spaces people are required to wear a protective mask or cover their mouth and nose (hereinafter ‘mask’). Said requirement does not apply to children under 12 years of age and in cases when wearing a mask is not possible for health reasons, due to the nature of work or other activities or for other significant reasons.
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
9. Customers may be and move around in indoor sales area of stores, in service providers’ service points and in public spaces of commercial establishments if the following requirements are met:
1) up to two persons may be and move around together while keeping at least two metres of distance from others, except for families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured;
2) a mask is worn indoors. Said requirement does not apply to children under 12 years of age and in cases when wearing a mask is not possible for health reasons, due to the nature of work or other activities or for other significant reasons;
3) up to 50% of occupancy is ensured in sales area of stores, in service providers’ service points and in public spaces of commercial establishments;
4) at least at the entrance to and exit from the sales area and service point the possessor thereof has ensured the availability of disinfectants to employees and customers;
5) compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board is ensured.
[RT III, 03.12.2020, 1 - entry into force 05.12.2020]
91. Customers may be and move around in catering establishments’ sales and seating areas if the following requirements are met:
1) up to 10 persons may be and move around together while keeping at least two metres of distance from others, except in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured. The requirement for being and moving around in groups of up to 10 persons does not apply to families;
[RT III, 12.11.2020, 5 - entry into force 16.11.2020]
11) a mask is worn indoors. Said requirement does not apply to children under 12 years of age and in cases when wearing a mask is not possible for health reasons, due to the nature of work or other activities or for other significant reasons;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
2) the service provider ensures that from 22:00 to 06:00 the only persons in the catering establishment’s sales or seating area are persons who want takeaway or who provide delivery or transport services, the proprietor or their representative, employees, persons involved in emergency work or persons necessary for economic servicing of the establishment;
[RT III, 03.12.2020, 1 - entry into force 05.12.2020]
3) the service provider ensures the availability of disinfectants;
[RT III, 12.11.2020, 5 - entry into force 16.11.2020]
4) the service provider ensures compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board. The restriction referred to in sub-clause 2) does not apply on board of aircraft used for international carriage of passengers or to places of business located inside the security restricted area of an international airport and places of business located beyond the boarding gates in the waiting area of a passenger terminal of an international port. The restriction on business hours referred to in sub-clause 2) does not apply to petrol stations if the service provider ensures that its customers will not consume any food or beverages on the premises.
[RT III, 12.11.2020, 5 - entry into force 16.11.2020]
10. Customers may be and move around in places where leisure services are provided if the following requirements are met:
1) up to 10 persons may be and move around together while keeping at least two metres of distance from others, except in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured. The requirement for being and moving around in groups of up to 10 persons does not apply to families;
[RT III, 12.11.2020, 5 - entry into force 16.11.2020]
11) a mask is worn indoors. Said requirement does not apply to children under 12 years of age and in cases when wearing a mask is not possible for health reasons, due to the nature of work or other activities or for other significant reasons;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
2) the service provider ensures up to 50% of occupancy at the place of provision of service and the number of customers up to 250 people;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
3) the service provider ensures that from 22:00 to 06:00 the only persons in the in the place of provision of leisure services are the proprietor or their representative, employees, persons involved in emergency work or persons necessary for economic servicing of the establishment;
[RT III, 03.12.2020, 1 - entry into force 05.12.2020]
4) the service provider ensures the availability of disinfectants;
[RT III, 12.11.2020, 5 - entry into force 16.11.2020]
5) the service provider ensures compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board.
[RT III, 12.11.2020, 5 - entry into force 16.11.2020]
Said requirements also apply during the provision of leisure services. The requirements referred to in sub-clause 1) and the limit on the number of customers set out in sub-clause 2) do not apply to children’s playrooms.
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
11. People may attend indoor public meetings, public events, including conferences, theatre performances, concerts and film screenings where a specific seat is ensured for persons in the designated area on the condition that:
[RT III, 23.12.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.12.2020]
1) the number of attendees up to 400 people is ensured;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 28.11.2020]
2) the organiser of an indoor event ensures up to 50% attendance capacity in Harju County and Ida-Viru County;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 28.11.2020]
3) outside the seating area, up to two persons may be and move around together while keeping at least two metres of distance from others, except for families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
4) a mask is worn indoors. Said requirement does not apply to children under 12 years of age and in cases when wearing a mask is not possible for health reasons, due to the nature of work or other activities or for other significant reasons;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
5) the organiser of an event ensures the availability of disinfectants;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
6) the organiser of an event ensures compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board.
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
12. Passengers are subject to a total restriction on the freedom of movement concerning going on a ferry sailing on the route Tallinn–Stockholm–Tallinn for the purpose of a pleasure trip.
13. Public meetings are allowed only if the following requirements are met:
1) up to two persons may be and move around together indoors while keeping at least two metres of distance from others, except for families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
2) the organiser of an indoor meeting ensures up to 50% attendance capacity and the number of attendees up to 250 people;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
3) the organiser of an outdoor meeting ensures the number of attendees up to 500 people;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
4) a mask is worn indoors. Said requirement does not apply to children under 12 years of age and in cases when wearing a mask is not possible for health reasons, due to the nature of work or other activities or for other significant reasons;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
5) the organiser of a meeting ensures the availability of disinfectants;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
6) the organiser of a meeting ensures compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board.
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
14. Public saunas, spas, swimming pools and water parks may only be used if the following requirements are met:
1) up to two persons may be and move around together indoors while keeping at least two metres of distance from others, except for families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
2) the service provider ensures up to 50% of occupancy in the place of provision of service;
3) the service provider ensures the availability of disinfectants;
4) the service provider ensures compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board.
Engaging in sports or training in said places is subject to the requirements provided for in clauses 17 and 18.
15. Public events are allowed only if the following requirements are met:
1) up to two persons may be and move around together indoors while keeping at least two metres of distance from others, except for families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
2) the organiser of an indoor event ensures up to 50% of occupancy and the number of attendees up to 250 people;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
3) the organiser of an outdoor event ensures the number of attendees up to 500 people;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
4) a mask is worn indoors. Said requirement does not apply to children under 12 years of age and in cases when wearing a mask is not possible for health reasons, due to the nature of work or other activities or for other significant reasons;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
41) the organiser of an event ensures that attendees are not at the venue from 22:00 to 06:00;
[RT III, 03.12.2020, 1 - entry into force 05.12.2020]
5) the organiser of an event ensures the availability of disinfectants;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
6) the organiser of an event ensures compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board.
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
16. Public religious services and other public religious rites are allowed only if the following requirements are met:
1) indoors where specific seats have not been designated, up to two persons may be and move around together while keeping at least two metres of distance from others, except for families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured;
2) indoors where specific seats have been designated, up to two persons may be and move around together outside the area of designated seats while keeping at least two metres of distance from others, except for families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured;
3) up to 50% of occupancy is ensured indoors and the number of attendees up to 250 people where specific seats have not been designated and up to 400 people where specific seats have been designated;
4) the organiser of an outdoor event ensures the number of attendees up to 500 people;
5) a mask is worn indoors. Said requirement does not apply to children under 12 years of age and in cases when wearing a mask is not possible for health reasons, due to the nature of work or other activities or for other significant reasons;
6) the availability of disinfectants is ensured;
7) compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board is ensured.
[RT III, 23.12.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.12.2020]
17. Engaging in sports, training, youth work, hobby activities, hobby education and refresher training outdoors are only allowed if the following requirements are met:
1) it is ensured that there are up to 25 people in a group, including the instructor, and that there is no contact with other groups, except for families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured;
2) the availability of disinfectants is ensured;
3) compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board is ensured.
The requirements referred to in sub-clause 1) do not apply to activities carried out under national curriculum, professional sports activities within the competitions system of a sports federation, including members of and candidates for Estonian adult and youth teams and team sport players in championship leagues, activities related to the military defence or internal security of the state, or activities of disabled persons, including provision of social or occupational rehabilitation services.
[RT III, 08.01.2021, 1 - entry into force 11.01.2021]
18. Engaging in sports, training, youth work, hobby activities, hobby education and refresher training indoors are only allowed if the following requirements are met:
1) it is ensured that there are up to 11 people in a group, including the instructor, and that there is no contact with other groups, except for families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured;
2) up to 50% of occupancy is ensured;
3) a mask is worn indoors. Said requirement does not apply to children under 12 years of age and in cases when wearing a mask is not possible for health reasons, due to the nature of work or other activities or for other significant reasons;
4) the availability of disinfectants is ensured;
5) compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board is ensured.
The requirements referred to in sub-clauses 1) and 2) do not apply to activities carried out under national curriculum, professional sports activities within the competitions system of a sports federation, including members of and candidates for Estonian adult and youth teams and team sport players in championship leagues, activities related to the military defence or internal security of the state, or activities of disabled persons, including provision of social or occupational rehabilitation services.
[RT III, 08.01.2021, 1 - entry into force 11.01.2021]
19. Sports competitions and sports and exercise events are allowed only if the following requirements are met:
1) only championship league teams participating in the competitions system of sports federations, professional athletes, and members of and candidates for Estonian adult and youth teams may take part in indoor sports competitions and sports and exercise events;
2) it is allowed to participate in outdoor sports competitions and sports and exercise events if it is ensured that there are up to 25 participants in a group, including the instructor, and that there is no contact with other groups, except for families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured;
3) no spectators are allowed;
4) a mask is worn indoors. Said requirement does not apply to children under 12 years of age and in cases when wearing a mask is not possible for health reasons, due to the nature of activities or for other significant reasons;
5) the organiser of an event ensures that attendees are not at the venue from 22:00 to 06:00;
6) the organiser of a competition ensures the availability of disinfectants;
7) the organiser of a competition ensures compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board.
The requirements referred to in sub-clauses 1), 2) and 5) do not apply to activities carried out under national curriculum, activities related to the military defence or internal security of the state, or activities of disabled persons, including provision of social or occupational rehabilitation services. The requirements referred to in sub-clauses 2) and 5) do not apply to professional sports activities within the competitions system of a sports federation, including members of and candidates for Estonian adult and youth teams and team sport players in championship leagues.
[RT III, 08.01.2021, 1 - entry into force 11.01.2021]
20. Visiting museums and exhibitions is only allowed if the following requirements are met:
1) up to two persons may be and move around together while keeping at least two metres of distance from others, except for families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
11) a mask is worn indoors. Said requirement does not apply to children under 12 years of age and in cases when wearing a mask is not possible for health reasons, due to the nature of work or other activities or for other significant reasons;
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]
2) the service provider ensures the availability of disinfectants;
3) in rooms open for the public, the service provider ensures wet cleaning of surfaces subject to frequent touching after every 2 to 4 hours;
4) interactive displays are closed or the service provider ensures their wet cleaning after each use or the service provider has made disposable gloves available to the visitors and ensures the safe handling thereof after use;
5) if possible, the service provider replaces physical information materials handed out free of charge with digital ones;
6) no creative work or workshops with shared means of work are organised or disinfection is ensured after each user.
201. In general and special care homes (hereinafter ‘social welfare institution’) the following requirements must be met:
1) employees and visitors of social welfare institutions shall wear a mask as personal protective equipment inside and on the territory of the relevant institution;
2) a mask need not be worn by a person for whom it is contraindicated for medical reasons, and upon the performance of duties if any and all contact with the employees, customers and other visitors of the relevant social welfare institution is avoided, or in other justified cases;
3) when wearing and using masks the maximum duration of use specified by the manufacturer and instructions from the Health Board and the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority shall be complied with.
[RT III, 14.09.2020, 1 - entry into force 14.09.2020]
202. [Repealed - RT III, 16.01.2021, 1 - entry into force 18.01.2021]
203. [Repealed - RT III, 16.01.2021, 1 - entry into force 18.01.2021]
204. [Repealed - RT III, 08.01.2021, 1 - entry into force 11.01.2021]
205. [Repealed - RT III, 08.01.2021, 1 - entry into force 11.01.2021]
206. [Repealed - RT III, 08.01.2021, 1 - entry into force 11.01.2021]
207. [Repealed - RT III, 08.01.2021, 1 - entry into force 11.01.2021]
208. From 11 January 2021 up to and including 24 January 2021 a restriction on the freedom of movement in educational institutions in Harju County and Ida-Viru County is imposed as follows:
[RT III, 16.01.2021, 1 - entry into force 18.01.2021]
1) students may not be or move around in study buildings of general education schools, vocational educational institutions, institutions of professional higher education and universities, which are only deemed to be rooms used for learning purposes;
2) sub-clause 1) does not apply to students of general education schools in grades 1 through 4, 9 and 12;
3) sub-clause 1) does not apply when students require educational support services or, according to their teacher, consultations for achieving learning outcomes or when they engage in practical studies or take exams or tests or compete in Olympiads;
4) in the events referred to in sub-clauses 2) and 3), people are scattered in classrooms considering the nature of activities and outside classrooms up to two persons may be and move around together while keeping at least two metres of distance from others, except in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured;
5) a mask is worn indoors. Said requirement does not apply to children under 12 years of age and in cases when wearing a mask is not possible for health reasons, due to the nature of activities or for other significant reasons;
6) the availability of disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board are ensured.
The requirements referred to in this clause do not apply to schools where most students receive enhanced support or special support, pre-school child care institutions or activities of disabled persons.
[RT III, 29.12.2020, 1 - entry into force 11.01.2021]
209. From 18 January 2021 up to and including 31 January 2021 the following measures and restrictions are applied in Harju County and Ida-Viru County:
1) persons may not be or move around in indoor places of provision of leisure services. This restriction does not apply to the proprietor of a place of provision of service or their representative, employees, persons involved in emergency work or persons necessary for economic servicing of the place. Outdoors it shall be ensured that the number of customers in a group is no greater than 10 people and that there is no contact with other groups;
2) visiting museums and exhibitions is allowed if the conditions provided for in clauses 81 and 82 are met. The service provider shall ensure the availability of disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board. It must be ensured that occupancy does not exceed 50%. Outdoors it shall be ensured that the number of customers in a group is no greater than 10 people and that there is no contact with other groups;
3) people may be at a place of provision of accommodation services only for the purpose of staying there overnight and if the service includes catering, the provider of accommodation services shall ensure compliance with the requirements set out in sub-clause 5). This restriction does not apply to the proprietor of a place of provision of service or their representative or employees or persons working in the same building, persons involved in emergency work or persons necessary for economic servicing of the place;
4) persons may not be or move around in indoor public sports clubs or other sports facilities, saunas, spas, swimming pools or water parks. This restriction does not apply to the proprietor of a place of provision of service or their representative, employees, persons involved in emergency work or persons necessary for economic servicing of the place, professional sports activities within the competitions system of a sports federation, including members of and candidates for Estonian adult and youth teams and team sport players in championship leagues, activities related to the military defence or internal security of the state, activities of disabled persons, including provision of social or occupational rehabilitation services, or indispensable services that are used to ensure people’s personal hygiene. Engaging in sports and training in public sports clubs and other sports facilities are allowed on the conditions provided for in sub-clause 8);
5) persons may be and move around in catering establishment’s sales or seating area if the conditions provided for in clauses 81 and 82 are met, the service provider ensures that people may be there from 06:00 to 19:00 and that occupancy does not exceed 25%. In the sales or seating area the service provider shall ensure the availability of disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board. From 19:00 to 06:00 people may be in catering establishment’s sales or seating area for the purpose of takeaway or provision of delivery or transport services. This restriction does not apply to the proprietor of a place of provision of service or their representative, employees, persons involved in emergency work or persons necessary for economic servicing of the place. The restriction on opening hours and occupancy referred to in this sub-clause does not apply on board of aircraft used for international carriage of passengers and the restriction on opening hours from 19:00 to 06:00 does not apply to places of business located inside the security restricted area of an international airport and places of business located beyond the boarding gates in the waiting area of a passenger terminal of an international port. The restriction on opening hours from 19:00 to 06:00 does also not apply to petrol stations if the service provider ensures that its customers will not consume any food or beverages on the premises;
6) indoor public meetings, public events, including conferences, theatre performances, concerts and film screenings, with or without specific seats, are not allowed;
7) outdoor public events and public meetings are allowed if it is ensured that there are up to 10 people in a group and that there is no contact with other groups. The organiser of a public event shall ensure that attendees are not at the venue from 22:00 to 06:00. The organiser of a public event or meeting shall ensure the availability of disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board;
8) engaging in sports, training, youth work, hobby activities, hobby education and refresher training indoors are allowed as individual activities and individual training, including with an instructor, free of any contact. This restriction does not apply to families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured. It must be ensured that occupancy does not exceed 25%, the requirements provided for in clause 82 must be met, and the availability of disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board shall be ensured. The requirements referred to in this clause do not apply to activities carried out under national curriculum, professional sports activities within the competitions system of a sports federation, including members of and candidates for Estonian adult and youth teams and team sport players in championship leagues, activities related to the military defence or internal security of the state, or activities of disabled persons, including provision of social or occupational rehabilitation services and Astangu Vocational Rehabilitation Centre;
9) youth work, engaging in sports, training, hobby activities, hobby education and refresher training outdoors are allowed if it is ensured that there are up to 11 people in a group, including the instructor, and that there is no contact with other groups. This restriction does not apply to activities carried out under national curriculum, professional sports activities within the competitions system of a sports federation, including members of and candidates for Estonian adult and youth teams and team sport players in championship leagues, activities related to the military defence or internal security of the state, or activities of disabled persons, including provision of social or occupational rehabilitation services and Astangu Vocational Rehabilitation Centre;
10) public religious services and other public religious rites may take place on the conditions referred to in clause 16;
11) sports competitions and sports and exercise events are not allowed, except for sports competitions where the contestants are championship league teams in the competitions system of sports federations, professional athletes, or members of and candidates for Estonian adult and youth teams. No spectators are allowed to said sports competitions. Up to two persons may be and move around together at sports competitions while keeping at least two metres of distance from others, except in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured. The requirements provided for in clause 82 shall be complied with indoors. The organiser of a sports competition or a sports or exercise event shall ensure that attendees are not at the venue from 22:00 to 06:00. The organiser of a sports competition or a sports or exercise event shall ensure that occupancy does not exceed 50% indoors and that there are no more than 250 participants, the number of participants may not exceed 500 people outdoors. The availability of disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board shall also be ensured.
[RT III, 16.01.2021, 1 - entry into force 18.01.2021]
2010. [Repealed - RT III, 29.12.2020, 1 - entry into force 30.12.2020]
2011. Persons arriving in Estonia from 15 January up to and including 17 January 2021 will not be subject to sub-clause 1) of clause 2 of this Order, except for persons arriving from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
[RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 - entry into force 15.01.2021]
21. Under § 44 (1) of the Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Act, supervision over the requirements imposed by this Order is exercised by the Health Board. The Health Board may involve the Police and Border Guard Board in the supervision, adhering to the requirements and procedure for professional assistance provided for in the Administrative Co-operation Act.
22. The restrictions and measures established by this Order shall apply until the date specified in this Order or until this Order is changed or repealed and the need for these restrictions and measures shall be assessed no later than after every two weeks.
23. This Order takes effect on 19 August 2020. Clause 2 and sub-clause 3) of clause 3 take effect on 1 September 2020.
24. [Omitted from this text.]
25. This Order shall be published on the website of the Government of the Republic and in the official gazette Riigi Teataja.
This Order is issued considering the fact that under § 2 2) of the Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Act the COVID-19 disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 corresponds to the signs of a dangerous novel communicable disease because there is no effective treatment and the spread of the disease may exceed the hospital treatment capacity, and the requirements, measures and restrictions established by this Order clearly have a significant social and economic effect. The risk of the virus spreading is currently very high and therefore, in order to minimise the risk, it is proportional to restrict people’s freedom of movement in the places referred to in the Order for the protection of the life and health of people and overriding public interest in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease.
For the protection of the life and health of people and overriding public interest, including for the protection of the continuity of the state, this Order establishes requirements, measures and restrictions that are inevitably necessary for preventing the spread of the virus. The reasons and considerations are set out in the explanatory memorandum to the Order, which will be published on the website of the Government of the Republic.
Failure to duly comply with measures for preventing the spread of the virus will prompt the application of the administrative coercive measures set out in § 28 (2) or (3) of the Law Enforcement Act. The maximum amount of penalty payment is 9600 euros. This penalty payment, which serves the purpose of enforcing the requirements, measures and restrictions imposed by this Order and preventing the spread of the virus, may be imposed repeatedly.
This Order can be appealed against by filing a challenge with the Government of the Republic pursuant to the procedure provided by the Administrative Procedure Act within 30 days as of the day the relevant person became or should have become aware of the Order. This Order can also be appealed against by filing an action with the administrative court pursuant to the procedure provided for in the Code of Administrative Court Procedure within 30 days as of the day of announcement of this Order.
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Reasons for the amendments made by the Government of the Republic Order No. 16 of 15 January 2021
For the protection of the life and health of people and overriding public interest, including for the protection of the continuity of the state, this Order imposes indispensable measures and restrictions for preventing the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19.
§ 28 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia (hereinafter the Constitution) provides for everyone’s right to protection of his or her health. In this case the fundamental right protects different values. Firstly, people’s right to protection of their health by having the state do everything in its power to stop the spread of the virus. Also, general public interest in avoiding increased spread of the virus and mass infections as well as overload of the health care system. In a situation where contact with other people poses a great risk of the virus spreading the state has an obligation to minimise the risk of infection, which also means that, for the purpose of achieving this objective, contact between people may be restricted in an appropriate manner. It must also be considered that the number of infected people and the number of deaths are still on the rise in the world, including Estonia. The increasing number of infected people who need to be hospitalised may put the continuity of the already restructured health care system in risk in a very short period of time.
The Constitution provides for rights and freedoms that the state is also required to ensure. The state may circumscribe the rights and freedoms set out in the Constitution considering the nature of the right or freedom in question and the conditions arising from the Constitution itself. For instance, under § 34 of the Constitution everyone whose presence in Estonian territory is lawful has the right to move freely in that territory and to choose freely where to reside. The right to move freely may be circumscribed in cases and pursuant to the procedure provided by law for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedoms of others and preventing the spread of a communicable disease, among others. It is justified to apply certain restrictions for preventing the spread of the virus causing COVID-19. Setting restrictions on rights and freedoms requires a fair balance between the objective sought by the restriction and the scope and effect of the restriction. Proportional restrictions necessary for stopping the virus are justified by the above compelling objectives.
Under § 28 (2), (5) and (6) of the Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Act and considering § 28 (8) thereof, the Government of the Republic may take measures for preventing communicable diseases when the application of measures and restrictions for the prevention of an epidemic spread of communicable diseases has a significant effect on society or economy. The following preconditions must be met: it is an extremely dangerous communicable disease or a dangerous novel communicable disease; the Health Board has given the Government of the Republic information and a recommendation on a measure (obligation or restriction) on the basis of epidemiological, laboratory and clinical information; the measure is absolutely necessary for preventing the spread of the virus or in other words the requirement must be proportional and rational; the measure is temporary or in other words limited in time and it brings about a significant social or economic effect.
The restrictions imposed by this Order are necessary because the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has remained wide in Estonia. Consequently, the imposition of the requirements is an efficient and proportional measure for the protection of public health. The reasons for the measures and restrictions are set out in the Order and the explanatory memorandum to the Order.
Establishment of the restrictions is based on the fact that COVID-19 caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is an infectious disease that spreads from one person to another by way of droplet infection, primarily upon close contact with an infectious person showing typical symptoms. This means that a person can contract the virus when in close contact with an infected person or through contaminated surfaces or hands. The virus spreads faster in poorly ventilated indoor spaces and people in risk groups (including older people) are in greater risk of the disease becoming serious or of complications or of needing hospital treatment.
On 14 January 2021 the Estonian morbidity rate for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 per 100,000 inhabitants for the last 14 days was 574.28. 5884 tests were analysed in the last 24 hours and 632 of them, i.e. 10.74% came back positive. 386 persons were in hospital and 27 patients were on mechanical ventilation. Ten deaths occurred in 24 hours. A total of 311 people have died in Estonia as a result of the coronavirus. According to the Health Board, as of week 48 the intensity of morbidity has been assessed as very high throughout Estonia.
The restrictions imposed by this Order are necessary because the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has remained wide in Estonia and the widest in Harju County and Ida-Viru County. On 14 January 2021 the morbidity rate per 100,000 inhabitants for the last 14 days was 885.60 in Ida-Viru County and 707.57 in Harju County. Whereas, the top five cities with the highest infection ratio for 14 days can only be found in Ida-Viru County and Harju County (the cities are Narva-Jõesuu, Sillamäe, Narva, Tallinn and Maardu).
Various restrictions on the freedom of movement for preventing and stopping the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 have been established by the Government of the Republic Order No. 282 “Measures and restrictions necessary for preventing the spread of COVID-19” of 19 August 2020. The restrictions were imposed with the consideration that the implementation thereof would allow people to carry on with their normal lives as much as possible. Restrictions on the freedom of movement have been imposed, among others, on persons arriving in Estonia from abroad.
This Order extends the restrictions imposed on educational institutions in Harju County and Ida-Viru County by one week, that means up to and including 24 January 2021. Other restrictions on the freedom of movement applicable in Harju County and Ida-Viru County from 28 December 2020 up to and including 17 January 2021 are imposed again, although somewhat eased, from 18 January 2021 up to and including 31 January 2021. The imposition of the restrictions is also deemed necessary by the Science Council advising the Government of the Republic and the Health Board. Easing the restrictions means that museums and exhibition facilities will be open as of 18 January 2021 on the condition that occupancy does not exceed 50% and the 2+2 rule is complied with. As to museums and exhibition facilities it is taken into account that a large number of people do not gather there and generally visitors can keep distance from one another. Individual sports, training, hobby education, hobby activities and refresher training indoors are also allowed as of 18 January 2021, considering instructions from the Health Board and provided that occupancy does not go beyond 25%. Another consideration for allowing individual indoor activities is that in that case contact with other people is minimal and it is possible to keep distance, which in turn keeps the risk of the virus spreading as low as possible, enabling people to engage in activities important to preserving their health, including mental health, or in self-education even during the restrictions.
In addition, as of 18 January 2021 catering establishments may serve people from 06:00 to 19:00 on the condition that occupancy does not exceed 25% and the so-called 2+2 rule is complied with.
Under § 44 (1) of the Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Act, supervision over the requirements imposed by this Order is exercised by the Health Board. Failure to duly comply with measures for preventing the spread of the virus will prompt the application of the administrative coercive measures set out in § 28 (2) or (3) of the Law Enforcement Act. The maximum amount of penalty payment is 9600 euros. This penalty payment, which serves the purpose of enforcing the requirements, measures and restrictions imposed by this Order and preventing the spread of the virus, may be imposed repeatedly.
This Order can be appealed against by filing a challenge with the Government of the Republic pursuant to the procedure provided by the Administrative Procedure Act within 30 days as of the day the relevant person became or should have become aware of the Order. This Order can also be appealed against by filing an action with the administrative court pursuant to the procedure provided for in the Code of Administrative Court Procedure within 30 days as of the day of announcement of this Order.
The explanatory memorandum to the Order is available on the website kriis.ee.
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