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)
Passed | Published | Entry into force |
---|---|---|
28.08.2020 | RT III, 28.08.2020, 3 | 28.08.2020, partially 01.09.2020 |
03.09.2020 | RT III, 04.09.2020, 1 | 04.09.2020 |
11.09.2020 | RT III, 14.09.2020, 1 | 14.09.2020 |
24.09.2020 | RT III, 24.09.2020, 3 | 29.09.2020 |
26.09.2020 | RT III, 26.09.2020, 1 | 28.09.2020 |
29.09.2020 | RT III, 29.09.2020, 9 | 29.09.2020 |
09.10.2020 | RT III, 09.10.2020, 1 | 12.10.2020 |
15.10.2020 | RT III, 15.10.2020, 2 | 19.10.2020 |
29.10.2020 | RT III, 29.10.2020, 2 | 30.10.2020 |
12.11.2020 | RT III, 12.11.2020, 5 | 16.11.2020 |
23.11.2020 | RT III, 23.11.2020, 1 | 24.11.2020, partially 28.11.2020 |
03.12.2020 | RT III, 03.12.2020, 1 | 05.12.2020 |
04.12.2020 | RT III, 04.12.2020, 3 | 05.12.2020 |
10.12.2020 | RT III, 10.12.2020, 1 | 12.12.2020 |
17.12.2020 | RT III, 17.12.2020, 3 | 18.12.2020 |
23.12.2020 | RT III, 23.12.2020, 1 | 24.12.2020, partially 28.12.2020 |
29.12.2020 | RT III, 29.12.2020, 1 | 30.12.2020, partially 11.01.2021 |
30.12.2020 | RT III, 31.12.2020, 8 | 01.01.2021 |
08.01.2021 | RT III, 08.01.2021, 1 | 11.01.2021 |
13.01.2021 | RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 | 15.01.2021 |
15.01.2021 | RT III, 16.01.2021, 1 | 18.01.2021, partially 25.01.2021 and 01.02.2021 |
30.01.2021 | RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 | 01.02.2021, partially 03.02.2021 |
19.02.2021 | RT III, 19.02.2021, 7 | 22.02.2021 |
26.02.2021 | RT III, 26.02.2021, 2 | 01.03.2021 |
03.03.2021 | RT III, 03.03.2021, 1 | 06.03.2021, partially 15.03.2021 |
05.03.2021 | RT III, 05.03.2021, 1 | 06.03.2021 |
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. 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]
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. From 1 March 2021 up to and including
28 March 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:
1) learning takes place in general
education schools in grades 1 through 4;
2) students require educational support
services or, according to their teacher, consultations for achieving learning
outcomes or when they engage in practical studies or take exams or tests or
compete in Olympiads;
3) people are scattered in classrooms
considering the nature of activities and outside classrooms the requirements
set out in clause 81 are complied with;
4) the requirements for wearing a mask set
out in clause 82 are complied with;
5) 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.
[RT III, 26.02.2021, 2 – entry into force 01.03.2021]
2014. From 6 March 2021 up to and including 28 March 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:
1) engaging in sports, training, youth work, hobby
activities, hobby education and refresher training indoors are allowed as
individual activities and individual training, including the instructor,
provided at least two metres of distance is kept from other persons. Group
activities and group training are prohibited. This restriction does not apply
to families and in cases when said requirements cannot be reasonably ensured.
It must be ensured that occupancy does not exceed 25% and the requirements for
wearing a mask provided for in clause 82 must be met, and
the availability of disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection
requirements according to instructions from the Health Board shall be ensured.
This restriction does not apply to activities carried out in a pre-school child
care institution with children or pupils in the same group who, according to
clause 2013, are not subject to the restriction on being and
moving around in study buildings and who study in one and the same group or
class. The restriction does also 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 premier
and championship leagues, activities related to the military defence or
internal security of the state, or activities of disabled persons, including
provision of social or occupational rehabilitation services and Astangu
Vocational Rehabilitation Centre;
2) youth work, engaging in sports, training, hobby
activities, hobby education and refresher training outdoors are allowed if it
is ensured that there are no more than 10 participants, including the
instructor, 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 availability of disinfectants and compliance with the
disinfection requirements according to instructions from the Health Board shall
be ensured. This restriction does not apply to activities carried out in a
pre-school child care institution with children or pupils in the same group
who, according to clause 2013, are not subject to the
restriction on being and moving around in study buildings and who study in one
and the same group or class. The restriction does also 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 premier and 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;
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 players in premier and championship leagues. Sports
competitions and sports and exercise events for disabled persons, including those
that take place in the framework of activities related to social or
occupational rehabilitation services, are also allowed. No spectators are
allowed. Indoor 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 200 people indoors and no higher than
250 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.
[RT III, 05.03.2021, 1 – entry into force 06.03.2021]
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, 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 premier and championship
leagues, activities related to the military defence or internal security of the
state, activities of disabled persons, including provision of social or
occupational rehabilitation services, or indispensable services that are used
to ensure people’s personal hygiene. In public saunas, spas, swimming pools and
water parks, people may be and move around in sales and seating and service
areas of catering establishments in said venues on the conditions provided for
in sub-clause 6) of this clause and in service providers’ service points
in said venues on the conditions provided for in sub-clause 8) of this
clause and for using accommodation services or for engaging in sports and
training on the conditions provided for in sub-clause 1) of this clause;
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 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. It is allowed to be and move around at said outdoor venues,
provided the service provider or organiser ensures that no person is there from
21:00 to 06:00. It must be ensured that if said events are organised or
services are provided outdoors, the number of participants is no higher than 10
and that there is no contact with other people. The availability of
disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection requirements according to
instructions from the Health Board shall be ensured;
6) persons may be and move around in catering
establishments’ sales or seating area if compliance with the requirements
provided for in clauses 81 and 82 is
ensured and if persons are there from Monday to Friday from 06:00 to 18:00 and
occupancy does not exceed 25%. Persons may also be and move around in outdoor
service area of catering establishments from Monday to Friday from 06:00 to
18:00 and scattering of people must be ensured. From Friday at 18:00 to Monday
at 06:00 persons may be in catering establishments’ sales or seating and
service area only 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
25% occupancy are met indoors and scattering is ensured in outdoor service
area. The service provider shall ensure the availability of disinfectants and
compliance with the disinfection requirements according to instructions from
the Health Board. This restriction 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 on opening hours and occupancy referred to in this sub-clause does
not apply on board of aircraft used for international carriage of passengers
and the restriction on opening hours does not apply to places of business
located inside the security restricted area of an international airport and
places of business located beyond the boarding gates in the waiting area of a
passenger terminal of an international port and on board ferries. The
restriction on business hours 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;
7) customers may be and move around in the sales area of
stores and in public spaces of commercial establishments located indoors from
Monday to Friday. On Saturdays and Sundays goods may be sold and picked up in
outdoor sales or pickup areas of stores where scattering of people must be
ensured. Compliance with the requirements provided for in clauses 81 and
82 must be ensured in indoor sales areas and public spaces of
commercial establishments and occupancy may not exceed 25%. Availability of
disinfectants to employees and customers and compliance with the disinfection
requirements according to instructions from the Health Board shall be ensured.
The restriction on business hours 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 that enable access to authorised
stores or service areas. The restrictions on business hours and occupancy are
not applied 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;
8) customers may be and move around in service
providers’ service areas located indoors if compliance with the requirements
provided for in clauses 81 and 82 is
ensured and occupancy does not exceed 50%. 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,
03.03.2021, 1 – entry into force
06.03.2021]
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. 110 of 5 March 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 while having regard to people’s fundamental rights and imposing indispensable restrictions for preventing the spread of the virus. At the same time there is 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.
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.
This Order amends sub-clause 3) of clause 2014 of the Government of the Republic Order No. 282 “Measures and restrictions necessary for preventing the spread of COVID-19” of 19 August 2020, removing from said clause the requirement whereby attendees may not be at the venue of a sports competition or sports or exercise event from 21:00 to 06:00.
Up to 2 March 2021 said restriction of time did not apply to competitions where the participants were 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 players in premier and championship leagues. This restriction did also not apply to students of general education schools who, according to then Order, were allowed to be in study buildings, to activities related to the military defence or internal security of the state, or to activities of disabled persons, including provision of social or occupational rehabilitation services.
This restriction only applied to outdoor sports competitions and sports and exercise events where the level of participants was not determined on the basis of results achieved, i.e. all amateur sports and exercise events. As of 3 March 2021, according to the same sub-clause, it is no longer allowed to organise outdoor sports competitions or exercise events for amateurs, except 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.
Since as of 3 March 2021 sports competitions for amateurs are no longer allowed and spectators, among others, may not attend competitions that are allowed, there is no further need for this restriction because organising sports competitions and sports and exercise events does not lead to large gatherings. Said restriction of time would also interfere with organising sports competitions for professional athletes at starting times agreed upon earlier. This amendment to the Order restores the restriction on sports competitions and sports and exercise events that was in effect until 2 March 2021.
Other restrictions on sports competitions and sports and exercise events that were imposed by Order of 26 February 2021 and that took effect on 3 March 2021 remain unchanged. Explanations concerning the continued restrictions can be found in the explanatory memorandum to Order No. 97 adopted on 26 February 20211.
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.
1 https://www.kriis.ee/sites/default/files/eriolukord/sel_vv_2197k.pdf