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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) and § 28 (5) and (8) of the same, the following restrictions are imposed:
[RT III, 19.02.2021, 7 - entry into force 22.02.2021]

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. [Repealed – RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]

2. The 10-calendar-day restriction referred to in clause 1 does not apply if:
[RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]
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 arrives from a third country for which information has not been released on the European Union green list published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter European Union green list) and if in the country from where the person arrives and under whose laws the person is deemed to be its resident or is deemed to stay there legally the cumulative number of positive tests for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 per 100,000 inhabitants for the past 14 days is greater than 16 or if the above information is not available for that country and there is a high risk of the virus spreading in that country and the person arrives in the Republic of Estonia under the Aliens Act for the purpose of work or studies in an educational institution registered in Estonia and the person is tested for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 immediately after arrival in Estonia and the results of that test come back negative and the person is re-tested no earlier than on the sixth day after the first test 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. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes information on the morbidity rates by country on its website.
[RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]

3. A person referred to in clauses 1 and 2 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 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 referred to in sub-clauses 1) and 2) of clause 2 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 COVID-19, the results of which came back negative, or a physician has declared 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;
4) a person who is an athlete, a coach or a team member who arrives in Estonia from a third country referred to in sub-clause 3) of clause 2 for the purpose of working 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 national team 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 performs 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 COVID-19, the results of which came back negative or if a physician has declared 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;
5) 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 COVID-19, the results of which came back negative, or if a physician has declared 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;
6) the person is getting the everyday essentials near their place of residence or place of stay because it is otherwise impossible;
7) the person is outdoors and completely avoids contact with other persons;
8) for the performance of urgent duties, acquiring an education or due to a family occasion, the person returns to the country from where the person arrived in Estonia provided up to 72 hours before leaving Estonia the person took at least one test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19, the results of which came back negative, or if a physician has declared the person not to be contagious.
The provisions of sub-clause 5) of this clause do not apply to a person referred to in sub-clause 3) of clause 2.
[RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]

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, which is on the 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 COVID-19 per 100,000 inhabitants in said country for the past 14 days is equal to or less than 16;
[RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]
12) who arrive from a third country that is not on the European Union green list and if 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 COVID-19 per 100,000 inhabitants for the past 14 days is equal to or less than 16 and if the above information is available for that country and there is no high risk of the virus spreading in that country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes this information on its website.
[RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]

4¹.[Repealed – RT III, 09.10.2020, 1 – entry into force 12.10.2020]

4². [Repealed – RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]

4³. The provisions of clauses 1 through 3 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, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]

4⁴. [Repealed – RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 – entry into force 15.01.2021]

4⁵. [Repealed – RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]

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. 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. The restriction on the freedom of movement referred to in this clause is also applied to being and moving around in public places outdoors.
[RT III, 09.03.2021, 11 – entry into force 11.03.2021]

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]
2¹) the service provider ensures that the occupancy of the catering establishment’s sales or seating area is no more than 50%;
[RT III, 19.02.2021, 7 – entry into force 22.02.2021]
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 that indoors the occupancy of the place of provision of service is no more than 50% and the number of customers is no higher than 200 people and that outdoors the number of customers is no higher than 250 people and people are scattered;
[RT III, 19.02.2021, 7 – entry into force 22.02.2021]
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 no higher than 200 people;
[RT III, 19.02.2021, 7 – entry into force 22.02.2021]
3) the organiser of an outdoor meeting ensures that the number of attendees is no higher than 250 people and people are scattered;
[RT III, 19.02.2021, 7 – entry into force 22.02.2021]
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. People may not be or move around in public 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, 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. In public saunas, spas, swimming pools and water parks, people may be and move around in sales and seating areas of catering establishments in said venues on the conditions provided for in clause 9¹ and in service providers’ service points in said venues on the conditions provided for in clause 9 and for using accommodation services or for engaging in sports and training on the conditions provided for in clause 18.
[RT III, 19.02.2021, 7 – entry into force 22.02.2021]

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 that the occupancy is no more than 50% and the number of attendees is no higher than 200 people;
[RT III, 19.02.2021, 7 – entry into force 22.02.2021]
3) the organiser of an outdoor event ensures that the number of attendees is no higher than 250 people and people are scattered;
[RT III, 19.02.2021, 7 – entry into force 22.02.2021]
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 the number of attendees is no higher than 200 people;
[RT III, 19.02.2021, 7 – entry into force 22.02.2021]
4) the organiser of an outdoor event ensures that the number of attendees is no higher than 250 people and people are scattered;
[RT III, 19.02.2021, 7 – entry into force 22.02.2021]
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 the number of attendees is no higher than 250 people who must be divided into groups of no more than 50, including the instructor, and that there is no contact between groups. This restriction does not apply to families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured;
[RT III, 19.02.2021, 7 – entry into force 22.02.2021]
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) it is ensured that only individual activities or individual training take place, including the instructor or trainer, and at least two metres of distance is kept from others. Group activities and group training are not allowed, except when such activities or training are carried out in a pre-school child care institution with children or pupils in the same group who, according to this Order, are not subject to the restriction on being and moving around in study buildings and who study in one and the same class. This restriction of individual activities or individual training does not apply to families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured;
2) it is ensured that the occupancy does not exceed 50% and the number of participants is no higher than 200 people;
3) a mask is worn. 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 professional sports activities within a competitions system, including members of and candidates for Estonian adult and youth teams and team sport players in championship and premier 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.
[RT III, 19.02.2021, 7 – entry into force 22.02.2021]

19. Sports competitions and sports and exercise events are allowed only if the following requirements are met:
1) only championship and premier 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, and the occupancy of the venue for sports competitions and sports and exercise events may not exceed 50% and the number of attendees may be no higher than 200 people;
2) the organiser of an event or a competition ensures that outdoor sports competitions and sports and exercise events are attended by no more than 250 people who must be divided into groups of no more than 50, including the instructor, and that there is no contact between groups. This restriction does not apply to 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 students of general education schools who, according to this Order, may be in study buildings, 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 and premier leagues.
[RT III, 19.02.2021, 7 – entry into force 22.02.2021]

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]

20¹³. Up to and including 25 April 2021, students may be and move around in study buildings, used for learning purposes, of general education schools, vocational educational institutions, institutions of professional higher education and universities only when:
[RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]
1) 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;
2) people are scattered in classrooms considering the nature of activities and outside classrooms the requirements set out in clause 8¹ are complied with;
3) the requirements for wearing a mask set out in clause 8² are complied with;
4) 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 students who receive enhanced support or special support or to educational institutions adapted for them or to activities of disabled persons or to students whose parent works for a provider of a vital service or who, according to their parent or educational institution, has a significant pressing need to participate in studies or extracurricular activities.
[RT III, 09.03.2021, 11 – entry into force 11.03.2021]

20¹⁴. From 11 March 2021 up to and including 25 April 2021 the provisions of clauses 9 through 11 and 13 through 20 of this Order do not apply and during said period of time the following measures and restrictions are applied:
[RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]
1) engaging in sports, training, youth work, hobby activities, hobby education and refresher training are not allowed indoors. This restriction does not apply to professional sports activities within the competitions system of a sports federation, members of and candidates for Estonian adult and youth teams and team sport athletes in championship leagues, activities related to the military defence or internal security of the state, refresher training and related examinations necessary for obtaining a temporary certificate in proof of acquisition of a qualification, or activities of disabled persons, including provision of social or occupational rehabilitation services and Astangu Vocational Rehabilitation Centre if compliance with the requirements provided for in clauses 8¹ and 8², the availability of disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board are ensured;
2) engaging in sports, training, youth work, hobby activities, hobby education and refresher training outdoors are allowed if it is ensured that there are no more than two persons participating, including the instructor, who shall keep at least two metres of distance from others and that there is no contact with other people. This restriction does not apply to families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured. The restriction does also not apply to professional sports activities within the competitions system of a sports federation, members of and candidates for Estonian adult and youth teams and team sport athletes in championship leagues, activities related to the military defence or internal security of the state, refresher training and related examinations necessary for obtaining a temporary certificate in proof of acquisition of a qualification, or activities of disabled persons, including provision of social or occupational rehabilitation services;
3) sports competitions and sports and exercise events are allowed only if the participants are professional athletes competing within the competitions system of a sports federation or members of and candidates for Estonian adult and youth teams or team sport athletes in championship leagues. Sports and exercise events for disabled persons, including sports competitions and sports and exercise events that take place in the framework of activities related to social or occupational rehabilitation services, are also allowed. No spectators are allowed. Sports competitions and sports and exercise events must be carried out in compliance with the requirements provided for in clauses 8¹ and 8². The organiser of a sports competition or a sports or exercise event shall ensure that indoor occupancy does not exceed 50%. The total allowed number of attendees is no higher than 50 people indoors and no higher than 100 people outdoors if it is ensured that the number of people in a group is no higher than 50, including the instructor, and that there is no contact between groups. The availability of disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board shall be ensured indoors;
4) people may not be or move around in public 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 as well as indispensable services that are used to ensure people’s personal hygiene. In public saunas, spas, swimming pools and water parks, people may be and move around in sales and seating areas or service areas of catering establishments in said venues on the conditions provided for in sub-clause 8) of this clause and in service providers’ service points in said venues on the conditions provided for in sub-clause 11) of this clause and for engaging in sports and training on the conditions provided for in sub-clauses 1) through 3) of this clause and for using accommodation services. The availability of disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board shall be ensured indoors;
5) indoor public meetings, public events, including conferences, theatre performances, concerts and film screenings, public religious services and other public religious rites, with or without designated seats, are not allowed. Persons may not be or move around indoors in places of provision of leisure services, museums or exhibition facilities. This restriction does not apply to organisers or the proprietor of a place of provision of service or their representative, employees, contractors, artists, persons involved in emergency work or persons necessary for economic servicing of the place;
6) public events, including conferences, theatre performances, concerts and film screenings and provision of leisure services, with or without designated seats, are not allowed outdoors;
7) public meetings, public religious services and other public religious rites and visiting museums outdoors are only allowed if no person is there from 21:00 to 06:00 and if it is ensured that occupancy in museums does not exceed 25%. Compliance with the requirements referred to in clause 8¹ shall also be ensured. Public meetings, public religious services and other public religious rites are allowed if it is ensured that the number of participants is no higher than 10 and that there is no contact with other people. This restriction does not apply to organisers or the proprietor of a place of provision of service or their representative, employees, contractors, artists, persons involved in emergency work or persons necessary for economic servicing of the place;
8) persons may not be in catering establishments’ sales or service area, except for the purpose of takeaway or provision of delivery or transport services if it is ensured that the requirements provided for in clauses 8¹ and 8²  and the requirement for no higher than 25% occupancy are met. Persons may be and move around in outdoor sales and service areas if the service provider ensures that its customers will not consume any food or beverages on the premises. The prohibition of persons being on premises does not apply to the proprietor of a catering establishment or their representative, employees, persons involved in emergency work or persons necessary for economic servicing of the place. The restriction provided for in this sub-clause does not apply on board of aircraft used for international carriage of passengers. The restriction on stay does not apply to catering establishments’ sales or seating area located inside the security restricted area of an international airport and catering establishments’ sales or seating area located beyond the boarding gates in the waiting area of a passenger terminal of an international port and catering establishments’ sales or service area located on board vessels servicing international routes. The restriction on being in catering establishments’ sales or service area provided for in this sub-clause 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. The availability of disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board shall be ensured indoors.
[RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]
9) customers may not be in the sales area of stores and in public spaces of commercial establishments located indoors. Goods may be sold and picked up in sales or pickup areas of stores in outdoor or parking premises where compliance with the requirement provided for in clause 8¹ shall be ensured;
10) the restriction on the freedom of movement provided for in sub-clause 9) does not apply to grocery stores, pharmacies, stores where technical aids and medical devices are sold or rented on the basis of technical aid card or medical device card, points of sale of telecommunications companies, optics stores, pet stores, petrol stations, or public spaces of commercial establishments and places of provision of service that are necessary for ensuring access to the above. Compliance with the requirements provided for in clauses 8¹ and 8² must be ensured in sales areas and public spaces of commercial establishments and occupancy may not exceed 25%. This restriction does not apply to the proprietor of a commercial establishment or their representative, employees, persons involved in emergency work or persons necessary for economic servicing of the place. The availability of disinfectants to employees and customers and compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board shall be ensured;
11) customers may be and move around in service providers’ service areas if compliance with the requirements provided for in clauses 8¹ and 8² is ensured and occupancy does not exceed 25%. The service provider shall ensure in its service areas the availability of disinfectants to employees and customers and compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board.
[RT III, 09.03.2021, 11 – entry into force 11.03.2021]

20¹⁵. The restrictions on persons being and moving around and relevant measures provided for in this Order are not applied in study buildings and other places of general education schools, vocational educational institutions, institutions of professional higher education and universities when state-organised immunisation is being carried out or when handling of blood is being organised under the Blood Act. The organiser shall ensure compliance with the requirements provided for in clauses 8¹ and 8², the availability of disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board.
[RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]

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. 132 of 1 April 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, 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.

Various restrictions on the freedom of movement and various measures 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. Restrictions on the freedom of movement have been imposed, among others, on persons arriving in Estonia from abroad. The restrictions and measures serve the purpose of reducing contact between people and preventing the spread of the virus in a manner even more extensive and efficient than before.

This Order strengthens the conditions applicable to movement between the Republic of Finland, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Estonia, taking into account the wide spread of COVID-19 in the region, the extremely high workload of the Estonian hospital system and the possible additional risk that imported cases pose to the Estonian hospital system. The special regulation established in January 2021 for people arriving from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is also revoked based on the fact that the strain of COVID-19 that originated in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has become prevalent in Estonia.

After the changes take effect people arriving in the Republic of Estonia from the Republic of Finland, the Republic of Latvia or the Republic of Lithuania will be subject to the same procedure as those arriving from a Member State of the European Union, a Schengen Member State, an EEA country, the Swiss Confederation, the Principality of Andorra, the Principality of Monaco, the Republic of San Marino or the Vatican City State (Holy See), which means that they will not be subject to a restriction on the freedom of movement or testing if the cumulative number of positive tests for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 per 100,000 inhabitants in said country for the past 14 days is equal to or less than 150. If the cumulative number of positive tests per 100,000 inhabitants for the past 14 days is greater than 150, the 10-day restriction on the freedom of movement applies, which can be reduced by two tests for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19, the results of which are negative. After the first negative test it is allowed to perform urgent and inevitably necessary duties and attend urgent family matters.

To enable cross-border movement for work or study purposes and attendance at urgent family occasions this Order sets out an exception for people who have arrived in Estonia and who want to return to the country from where they arrived in Estonia before the restriction on the freedom of movement expires. According to the Order, a person who has arrived in Estonia may leave their place of residence or permanent place of stay before the end of the 10-calendar-day restriction on movement if due to work, studies or an urgent family matter the person returns to the country from where the person arrived in Estonia provided up to 72 hours before leaving Estonia the person took at least one test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19, the results of which came back negative.

For the sake of legal clarity, the place of the provisions in the Order governing the arrival of people from countries that are not on the European Union green list is changed.

This Order also extends the time when students may not be in study buildings. The prohibition on being in study buildings of educational institutions along with the exceptions is extended until 25 April 2021 (inclusive). All other additional restrictions on the freedom of movement as to being and moving around in stores, catering establishments and other public places that were imposed by Government of the Republic Order No. 111 of 9 March 2021, amending Government of the Republic Order No. 282 “Measures and restrictions necessary for preventing the spread of COVID-19”, are also extended until 25 April 2021. This Order establishes an exception to being and moving around in said places in cases when said places are venues for state-organised immunisation or handling of blood under the Blood Act.

Extending the restrictions imposed by the Order is indispensable because the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has remained wide in Estonia and the infection rates are high. Consequently, the imposition of the requirements set out in the Order is an efficient and proportional measure for the protection of the life and health of people and in more general terms for the protection of public health and continuity of the medical system. Compared to various possible alternatives, the restrictions and measures have been assessed as being effective and restricting the rights and freedoms of people as little as possible. Continued restrictions and measures are necessary because the viral epidemic is not just a great but also a serious threat for the purposes of § 5 (3) and (4) of the Law Enforcement Act. The health and life of people as well as the availability of general medical care are at risk. Since the intensity of morbidity is still very high and the spread of the virus is extensive,the operation of other domains and the state’s capability to perform all the obligations set out in the Constitution (e.g. security, education) are also at risk. The reasons for the measures and restrictions are set out in the Order and the explanatory memorandum to the Order. The Order makes small changes of a technical nature to deal with issues that have arisen in practice.

The restrictions imposed in March 2021 are continued 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. This means that a person can contract the virus when in close contact with an infected person or through contaminated surfaces or, for example, 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 31 March 2021, 5189 tests for the coronavirus were analysed and 1009 of them, i.e. 19.44% of the total number of tests came back positive. According to hospitals, 700 persons were in hospital and 48 of them were on mechanical ventilation. Six deaths occurred in the last 24 hours. A total of 902 persons infected with the coronavirus have died in Estonia.

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.