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 |
09.03.2021 | RT III, 09.03.2021, 11 | 11.03.2021 |
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. 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 11 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:
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 11 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:
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. 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 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;
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]
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. 111 of 9 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. Also, general public interest in avoiding increased spread of the virus and mass infections as well as overload of the health care system. In a situation where contact with other people poses a great risk of the virus spreading the state has an obligation to minimise the risk of infection, which also means that, for the purpose of achieving this objective, contact between people may be restricted in an appropriate manner. It must also be considered that the number of infected people and the number of deaths are still on the rise in the world, including Estonia. The increasing number of infected people who need to be hospitalised may put the continuity of the already restructured health care system in risk in a very short period of time.
The Constitution provides for rights and freedoms that the state is also required to ensure. The state may circumscribe the rights and freedoms set out in the Constitution considering the nature of the right or freedom in question and the conditions arising from the Constitution itself. For instance, under § 34 of the Constitution everyone whose presence in Estonian territory is lawful has the right to move freely in that territory and to choose freely where to reside. The right to move freely may be circumscribed in cases and pursuant to the procedure provided by law for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedoms of others and preventing the spread of a communicable disease, among others. It is justified to apply certain restrictions for preventing the spread of the virus causing COVID-19. Setting restrictions on rights and freedoms requires a fair balance between the objective sought by the restriction and the scope and effect of the restriction. Proportional restrictions necessary for stopping the virus are justified by the above compelling objectives.
Under § 28 (2), (5) and (6) of the Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Actand considering § 28 (8) thereof, the Government of the Republic may take measures for preventing communicable diseases when the application of measures and restrictions for the prevention of an epidemic spread of communicable diseases has a significant effect on society or economy. The following preconditions must be met: it is an extremely dangerous communicable disease or a dangerous novel communicable disease; the Health Board has given the Government of the Republic information and a recommendation on a measure (obligation or restriction) on the basis of epidemiological, laboratory and clinical information; the measure is absolutely necessary for preventing the spread of the virus or in other words the requirement must be proportional and rational; the measure is temporary or in other words limited in time and it brings about a significant social or economic effect.
This Order extends the period of time when students are not allowed to be in study buildings. The prohibition on being in educational institutions is extended until 11 April 2021. A restriction on movement is also imposed on students in grades 1 through 4, 9 and 12 whereby they are prohibited from being in study buildings, apart from the exceptions provided for in the Order. This Order imposes additional restrictions on being and moving around in stores, catering establishments and other public places. Additional restrictions are also imposed on hobby education, hobby activities, refresher training, youth work and engaging in sports and training.
The restrictions imposed by this Order are 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 imposed by the Order have been assessed as being effective and restricting the rights and freedoms of people as little as possible. The new and even stricter restrictions are necessary because at the time the Order is passed, i.e. in March 2021, 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. Applying these restrictions on the basis of the Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Act serves the purpose of trying to avoid a situation where an emergency caused by the spread of a communicable disease would require resorting to an emergency situation under the Emergency Act. The reasons for the measures and restrictions are set out in the Order and the explanatory memorandum to the Order.
Establishment of the restrictions is based on the fact that COVID-19 caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is an infectious disease that spreads from one person to another by way of droplet infection, primarily upon close contact with an infectious person. 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.
Various restrictions on the freedom of movement for preventing and stopping the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 have been established by the Government of the Republic Order No. 282 “Measures and restrictions necessary for preventing the spread of COVID-19” of 19 August 2020. Restrictions on the freedom of movement have been imposed, among others, on persons arriving in Estonia from abroad.
The restrictions serve the purpose of reducing contact between people in a manner even more extensive and efficient than before and preventing the spread of the virus.
On 8 March 2021, 5496 tests were analysed and 1181 of them, i.e. 21.49% came back positive. According to hospitals, 626 persons were in hospital and 36 of them were on mechanical ventilation. Fourteen deaths occurred in the last 24 hours. A total of 667 persons infected with the coronavirus have died in Estonia. A total of 17,749 tests of all tests analysed over the past 14 days came back positive, which means the ratio is 1335.54 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Establishment of the additional restrictions is also based on wider spread of virus strains that are more infectious, primarily the B.1.1.7 strain, the percentage of which among the strains of SARS-CoV-2 that are spreading in Estonia has continuously grown higher since mid-February and is still greatly rising. Out of 192 sequenced samples in a focused sample by the University of Tartu from 22 to 28 February 2021, 49 samples of the B.1.1.7 strain, i.e. 25.5% were identified. From 1 to 7 March 2021, said strain accounted for 43% of sequenced samples in a focus sample. Relying on various scientific sources, the Science Council finds that the transmission of the B.1.1.7 strain from an infected person to a healthy person is approximately 1.3 to 1.5 times more likely than in the event of strains identified so far.
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.