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Measures and restrictions necessary for preventing the spread of COVID-19
[RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 - entry into force 24.11.2020]

Passed 19.08.2020 No. 282
RT III, 19.08.2020, 1
Entry into force 19.08.2020, partially 01.09.2020

Amended by the following legal instruments (show)

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. [Repealed – RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]

6¹. The 10-calendar-day requirement to remain in one’s place of residence or permanent place of stay and the requirements for being tested for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19, as referred to in this Order, are not applied if a person:
1) suffered from COVID-19 and no more than six months have passed since the person was declared healthy by a physician;
2) has been vaccinated against COVID-19 and no more than six months have passed since the day of last vaccination.
[RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]

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 10-calendar-day requirement to remain in one’s place of residence or permanent place of stay and the requirements for being tested for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19, as referred to in this Order, are not applied to persons performing at a public event referred to in clause 7 or persons directly involved in carrying out such an event or persons 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. The Health Board shall establish necessary restrictions on the freedom of movement of said persons.
[RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]

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 six 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 six persons does not apply to families;
[RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
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 21:00 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, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
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 six 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 six persons does not apply to families;
[RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
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 21:00 to 06:00 the only persons 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, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
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, public religious services and other public religious rites where a specific seat is ensured for persons in the designated area on the condition that:
[RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
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 and that people are scattered when seated;
[RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
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) the organiser of a meeting ensures numbered seats for attendees in an indoor meeting and that attendees are scattered when seated. 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, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
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]
4¹) the organiser of a meeting ensures that from 21:00 to 06:00 the only persons at the venue are the proprietor or their representative, employees, persons involved in emergency work or persons necessary for economic servicing of the establishment;
[RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
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) the organiser of an event ensures numbered seats for attendees at an indoor public event and that attendees are scattered when seated. 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, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
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 21:00 to 06:00;
[RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
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) the organiser ensures numbered seats for attendees at an indoor event and that attendees are scattered when seated. 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, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
2) [repealed – RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
3) it is ensured that indoor occupancy does not exceed 50% and that the number of attendees does not exceed 250 people;
[RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
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 no more than 50 people in a group, including the instructor, and that there is no contact with other groups, except in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured;
[RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
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) contact or high risk activities and training are only allowed if it involves two persons, partners are not switched during such activities or training and at least two metres of distance is kept from others, except for families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured. The Health Board publishes a list of contact and high risk activities on its website;
[RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
1¹) non-contact or low risk activities and training are only allowed if carried out ensuring that there are no more than 11 people in a group, including the instructor, groups are not switched during such activities or training and at least two metres of distance is kept from other groups, except for families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured. The Health Board publishes a list of non-contact or low risk activities on its website;
[RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
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) through 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, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]

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) the organiser of an event or a competition ensures that there are no more than 50 people in a group, including the instructor, in outdoor sports competitions and sports and exercise events and that there is no contact with other groups, except for families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured;
[RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
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;
2¹) the service provider ensures compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board.
[RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
3) [repealed – RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
4) [repealed – RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
5) [repealed – RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
6) [repealed – RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]

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. [Repealed – RT III, 16.01.2021, 1 – entry into force 25.01.2021]

20⁹. [Repealed – RT III, 16.01.2021, 1 – entry into force 01.02.2021]

20¹⁰. [Repealed – RT III, 29.12.2020, 1 – entry into force 30.12.2020]

20¹¹. [Repealed – RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]

20¹². [Repealed – RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 03.02.2021]

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.

 

Reasons for the amendments made by the Government of the Republic Order No. 48 of 30 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 Actand 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.

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.

On 28 January 2021, 5326 tests for COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 were analysed in Estonia in the last 24 hours and 690 of them, i.e. 12.96% came back positive. According to hospitals, 379 persons were in hospital and 21 patients were on mechanical ventilation. Eight deaths occurred in the last 24 hours. A total of 404 persons infected with the coronavirus have died in Estonia. A total of 7041 tests of all tests analysed over the past 14 days came back positive, which means the ratio is 529.81 per 100,000 inhabitants.

This Order specifies restrictions on various activities for the purpose of preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Having regard to the spread of the disease across the country, this Order imposes uniform restrictions on activities in all counties. The uniform restrictions are imposed in consideration of the infection rates by counties and also the purpose of avoiding increased movements of people between regions of different restrictions. The restrictions are imposed taking into account the fact that the Estonian morbidity rate per 100,000 inhabitants per 14 days has fallen but the intensity of morbidity is still very high and the spread of the virus is still extensive. Applying restrictions across the country is justified because the morbidity has stabilised in Estonia at very high infection rates. The restrictions in question are also justified because the percentage of unknown cases, that means the number of people for whom the place where they became infected remains unknown, is approximately 32% of the total number of infected people.

Under clause 20⁹ of the Government of the Republic Order No. 282 “Measures and restrictions necessary for preventing the spread of COVID-19” of 19 August 2020, additional temporary restrictions apply in Harju County and Ida-Viru County up to and including 31 January 2021. Insofar as the epidemiological situation has become consistent across Estonia, there is no further need to impose restrictions by counties. Given the above, this Order imposes uniform rules for catering establishments, entertainment facilities, public meetings and events as well as sports and hobby activities in all of Estonia. Should the epidemiological situation change in certain counties or specific regions, the applicable legislation allows imposition of local restrictions by decision of the Health Board. This Order sets out additional options for being released from self-isolation for those who have been vaccinated and those who have suffered from COVID-19 if no more than six months have passed since they were declared healthy by a physician. The opening hours of catering establishments and entertainment facilities and the relevant requirements for scattering are also aligned. According to the Order, instead of the former 25 people, including the instructor or trainer, from now on up to 50 people, including the instructor or trainer, are allowed to be in a group when engaging in sports outdoors.

This Order partially repeals provisions that have expired or are unnecessary or can be applied through instructions. This change is of a technical nature.

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.