Restrictions on the freedom of movement and on holding public meetings and public events as necessary for preventing the spread of the COVID-19 disease
Passed 16.05.2020 No. 172
RT III, 17.05.2020, 5
Entry into force 18.05.2020
Amended by the following legal instruments (show)
| Passed | Published | Entry into force |
|---|---|---|
| 21.05.2020 | RT III, 22.05.2020, 3 | 21.05.2020, partially 01.06.2020 |
| 28.05.2020 | RT III, 28.05.2020, 2 | 28.05.2020 |
| 12.06.2020 | RT III, 12.06.2020, 1 | 12.06.2020 |
| 18.06.2020 | RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 | 19.06.2020 |
| 06.07.2020 | RT III, 06.07.2020, 3 | 06.07.2020 |
| 09.07.2020 | RT III, 10.07.2020, 2 | 15.07.2020 |
Under § 28 (6) of the Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Act and considering § 28 (5) 2) and 3) and § 28 (8) and (9) of the same, the following restrictions are imposed:
1. [Repealed – RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
11. 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 14 calendar days after arrival in Estonia
and they may leave there on the order of a health care professional or a police
officer or in the event of an emergency that puts the person’s life or health
at risk or to receive health services or to buy food, essentials or medicine
if getting these in another manner is impossible or unnecessarily difficult.
[RT III, 12.06.2020, 1 – entry into force 12.06.2020]
12. The restriction set out in clause 11 does
not apply to asymptomatic persons as per clauses of the Government of the
Republic Order No. 169 “Imposition of temporary restrictions on crossing
the state border in order to prevent a new outbreak of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2
causing the COVID-19 disease” of 16 May 2020 in the following cases:
1) persons referred to in clauses 2 through 12 who were abroad and
have arrived in Estonia for a purpose set out in clauses 3 through 10,
and persons referred to in sub-clause 2) of clause 13;
2) persons referred to in clause 2 if a law enforcement agency has
not applied the restriction set out in clause 11 of the
Government of the Republic Order No. 172 “Restrictions on the freedom
of movement and on holding public meetings and public events as necessary
for preventing the spread of the COVID-19 disease” of 16 May 2020 to
them upon crossing of the state border;
3) persons referred to in clauses 11 and 12;
4) persons referred to in clause 2 who arrived directly from the
Republic of Latvia or the Republic of Lithuania;
5) persons referred to in clause 2 who arrived directly from the
Republic of Finland and the purpose of their stay in Finland was work or performance
of other contractual obligations, studies in an educational institution registered
in Finland or urgent family reasons, above all meeting a close relative, a
funeral, a wedding or cases of illness;
6) persons referred to in clause 2 who arrived directly from the
Republic of Finland and who stayed in the territory of the Republic of Finland
for at least 14 consecutive days immediately before arriving in the Republic
of Estonia;
7) persons referred to in clauses 2 and 121 who
have been in a Member State of the European Union or a Schengen Member State,
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or the Principality
of Andorra, the Principality of Monaco, the Republic of San Marino and the
Vatican City State (Holy See) within the past 14 days, 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. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes on
its website a list of the countries referred to in this sub-clause and of
countries where 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;
[RT III, 06.07.2020, 3 – entry into force 06.07.2020]
8) persons referred to in clause 122, unless they arrive
from a country where 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;
[RT III, 06.07.2020, 3 – entry into force 06.07.2020]
9) persons referred to in clause 2 who arrive from a country referred
to in clause 122, unless 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 greater
than 16;
[RT III, 06.07.2020, 3 – entry into force 06.07.2020]
10) persons referred to in clause 123, unless in
the country from where a person arrives and under whose laws the person is
deemed to be its resident or is deemed to stay there legally the cumulative
number of positive tests for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing 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
or there is a high risk of the virus spreading in that country, according
to the conditions provided for in clause 14.
[RT III, 06.07.2020, 3 – entry into force 06.07.2020]
13. The restriction provided for in clause 11 does
also not apply to persons referred to in sub-clause 7) of clause 12 if
the cumulative number of positive tests for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing
the COVID-19 disease per 100,000 inhabitants in that country for the past
14 days ranges from 16 to 17.6 and has not increased during two
consecutive periods of 7 days. When publishing lists of countries referred
to in sub-clause 7) of clause 12, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs is guided by the provisions of sub-clause 7) of clause 12
and this clause.
[RT III, 06.07.2020, 3 – entry into force 06.07.2020]
14. A sponsor of a person referred to in sub-clause 10)
of clause 12 shall ensure, in the event that in the country
from where the person arrives and under whose laws the person is deemed to
be its resident or is deemed to stay there legally the cumulative number of
positive tests for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease
per 100,000 inhabitants for the past 14 days is greater than 16
or if the above information is not available for that country or there is
a high risk of the virus spreading in that country, in cooperation with that
person that the latter can stay in their place of residence or permanent place
of stay for 14 calendar days after arrival in Estonia and be tested for
COVID-19 immediately after arrival in Estonia and re-tested no earlier than
on the 14th day in Estonia.
[RT III, 06.07.2020, 3 – entry into force 06.07.2020]
2. In sales areas, including in service providers’ service points and
catering establishments’ seating areas (hereinafter sales area) and
in public rooms of shopping centres it is allowed to walk around if the following
requirements are met:
1) the scattering of people is ensured and the possessor checks compliance
therewith;
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
2) at least at the entrance to and exit from the sales area the possessor
thereof has ensured the availability of disinfectants to employees and customers.
3. Until 31 May 2020 customers may be at catering establishments
for the sole purpose of takeaway or provision of delivery and transport services
from 22:00 until closing.
[RT III, 28.05.2020, 2 – entry into force 28.05.2020]
4. Until 30 June 2020 customers are subject to a total restriction
on the freedom of movement (visitation prohibition) in nightclubs, hookah
cafés and adult clubs.
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
41. As of 1 June 2020 customers may go to casinos
and slot machine halls if the following requirements are met:
1) the service provider ensures the scattering of people;
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
2) the service provider ensures up to 50% customer capacity of the place
of provision of service but no more than 100 people;
[RT III, 28.05.2020, 2 – entry into force 28.05.2020]
3) the service provider ensures compliance with the disinfection requirements
according to instructions from the Health Board.
[RT III, 22.05.2020, 3 – entry into force 21.05.2020]
42. As of 1 July 2020 customers may go to nightclubs, hookah
cafés and adult clubs if the following requirements are met:
1) the service provider ensures the scattering of people;
2) the service provider ensures up to 50% customer capacity of the place
of provision of service but no more than 100 people;
3) the service provider ensures compliance with the disinfection requirements
according to instructions from the Health Board.
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
5. 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.
6. Public meetings are allowed only if the following requirements are
met:
1) the organiser of a meeting ensures the scattering of people;
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
2) the organiser of an indoor meeting ensures up to 50% attendance capacity
and the number of attendees up to 10 people, as of 1 June 2020 up
to 50% attendance capacity and the number of attendees up to 100 people,
as of 1 July 2020 up to 50% attendance capacity and the number of attendees
up to 500 people, and as of 15 July 2020 up to 50% attendance capacity
and the number of attendees up to 1500 people;
[RT III, 10.07.2020, 2 – entry into force 15.07.2020]
3) the organiser of an outdoor meeting ensures the number of attendees
up to 100 people, as of 1 July 2020 the number of attendees up to
1000 people, and as of 15 July 2020 the number of attendees up to 2000 people.
[RT III, 10.07.2020, 2 – entry into force 15.07.2020]
7. Until 31 May 2020 customers are subject to a restriction on the freedom of movement (visitation prohibition) in public saunas, spas, swimming pools and water parks. Engaging in sports or training in said places is subject to the requirements provided for in clauses 19 through 23.
8. As of 1 June 2020 customers may use public saunas, spas, swimming
pools and water parks if the following requirements are met:
1) the service provider ensures the scattering of people;
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
2) the service provider ensures up to 50% customer capacity of the place of
provision of service;
3) the service provider ensures compliance with the disinfection requirements
according to instructions from the Health Board.
Engaging in sports or training in said places is subject to the requirements provided for in clauses 19 through 23.
9. Until 31 May 2020 customers, except for customers for training purposes, are subject to a restriction on the freedom of movement (visitation prohibition) in places for the provision of entertainment services, including bowling alleys, billiard halls and children’s playrooms.
10. As of 1 June 2020 customers may be in places for the provision
of entertainment services, including bowling alleys, billiard halls and children’s
playrooms if the following requirements are met:
1) the service provider ensures up to 50% customer capacity and the scattering
of people;
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
2) the service provider ensures the availability of disinfectants;
3) the service provider ensures compliance with the disinfection requirements
according to instructions from the Health Board.
11. Until 31 May 2020 public events are allowed if the spectators
are in their car and the following requirements are met:
1) outside cars, the organiser of the event ensures compliance with the
requirements provided for in clause 1;
2) the organiser of the event ensures that no one gets out of their car
during the event without an urgent need;
3) upon organising the parking of cars the organiser of the event ensures
an adequate distance between cars;
4) the organiser of the event ensures the availability of disinfectants,
where necessary.
[RT III, 22.05.2020, 3 – entry into force 21.05.2020]
111. As of 1 June 2020 public events are allowed
if the following requirements are met:
1) the organiser of an event ensures the scattering of people;
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
2) the organiser of an indoor event ensures up to 50% attendance capacity
but no more than 100 people;
[RT III, 28.05.2020, 2 – entry into force 28.05.2020]
3) the organiser of an outdoor event ensures the number of attendees
up to 100 people;
4) sports activities, training sessions and sports and exercise events
are subject to the provisions of clauses 21 through 23.
[RT III, 22.05.2020, 3 – entry into force 21.05.2020]
12. As of 1 July 2020 public events are allowed if the following
requirements are met:
1) the organiser of an event ensures the scattering of people;
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
2) the organiser of an indoor event ensures up to 50% attendance capacity
but no more than 500 people;
3) the organiser of an outdoor event ensures the number of attendees
up to 1000 people;
4) sports activities, training sessions and sports and exercise events
are subject to the provisions of clauses 21 through 23.
[RT III, 22.05.2020, 3 – entry into force 21.05.2020]
121. As of 15 July 2020 public events are allowed if the
following requirements are met:
1) the organiser of an event ensures the scattering of people;
2) the organiser of an indoor event ensures up to 50% attendance capacity
but no more than 1500 people;
3) the organiser of an outdoor event ensures the number of attendees
up to 2000 people;
4) sports activities, training sessions and sports and exercise events
are subject to the provisions of clauses 20, 212 and
23.
[RT III, 10.07.2020, 2 – entry into force 15.07.2020]
13.
Public religious services and other public
religious rites are allowed if the requirement for the scattering of people is
complied with and the availability of disinfectants is ensured.
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
14. In organising the activities of basic schools, upper secondary schools,
vocational educational institutions and institutions of higher education,
except in organising research and development activities in universities and
research institutions, also in organising the activities of institutions providing
refresher training, recreational activities and hobby education and the activities
of youth centres the following must be complied with:
1) the scattering of people is ensured;
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
2) there are up to ten persons in a study group, except for examinations;
3) when organising examinations, students taking an examination are scattered
in the examination room;
4) movements of groups of students in the building of the relevant educational
institution and in the territory used for the provision of education are scattered;
5) shared items in the building of the relevant educational institution
and in the territory used for the provision of education are disinfected after
use.
141. As of 1 June 2020, the requirements
provided for in sub-clauses 1) through 4) of clause 111
are applied in basic schools, upper secondary schools, vocational educational
institutions and institutions of higher education, except in organising research
and development activities in universities and research institutions, and
also in organising the activities of institutions providing refresher training
and the activities of youth centres.
[RT III, 28.05.2020, 2 – entry into force 28.05.2020]
142. As of 1 July 2020, the requirements
provided for in sub-clauses 1) through 4) of clause 12 are
applied in basic schools, upper secondary schools, vocational educational
institutions and institutions of higher education, except in organising research
and development activities in universities and research institutions, and
also in organising the activities of institutions providing refresher training
and the activities of hobby schools, providers of hobby education and youth
centres.
[RT III, 28.05.2020, 2 – entry into force 28.05.2020]
15. In institutions providing refresher training where training of
drivers of power-driven vehicles, driver training and training of drivers
carrying dangerous goods are organised, except if training of drivers of power-driven
vehicles, driver training, training of drivers carrying dangerous goods or
emergency vehicle driver training is provided to a serviceman or if emergency
vehicle driver training is provided to a police officer, a rescue servant,
an assistant police officer or a voluntary rescuer, such training shall be
provided as follows:
1) [repealed – RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
2) the availability of disinfectants must be ensured in the vehicle for driving
practice;
3) [repealed – RT III, 22.05.2020, 3 – entry into force 21.05.2020]
4) after each driving lesson the organiser of the training organises the cleaning
of the surfaces that the learner touched.
16. As of 1 June 2020 recreational activities and provision of
hobby education, except for activities set out in clauses 19 through 23, shall
be organised as follows:
1) the organiser ensures the scattering of people;
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
2) the organiser ensures up to 50% capacity indoors;
3) the organiser ensures the number of participants up to 100 people
outdoors.
17. Until 11 June 2020 the activities of youth camps and student work camps are suspended for participants.
18. As of 12 June 2020 the activities of youth camps and student
work camps shall take place as follows:
1) the scattering of people is ensured;
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
2) youth camps and student work camps have up to 300 participants;
3) there are up to 20 persons in one group;
4) the organiser of the activity ensures the availability of disinfectants.
19. Until 31 May 2020 it is allowed to engage in sports, train and carry out sports and exercise events outdoors if compliance with the requirement provided for in clause 1 is ensured and if there are up to 10 participants in a group and the organiser of the activity ensures the availability of disinfectants. This restriction does not apply to sports teams if requirements arising from the international competition rules for the sport are complied with, or to training of candidates for Estonian adult sports teams and championship league teams.
20. As of 1 June 2020 it is allowed to engage in sports, train
and carry out sports and exercise events outdoors if the scattering of people
is ensured and if there are up to 100 participants and the organiser
of the activity ensures the availability of disinfectants. This restriction
does not apply to sports teams if requirements arising from the international
competition rules for the sport are complied with, or to training of candidates
for Estonian adult sports teams and championship league teams.
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
21. Until 30 June 2020 sports competitions are allowed if the
organiser ensures compliance with the following requirements:
1) the organiser of an event ensures the scattering of people;
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
2) indoor sports competitions have no spectators and there are no more
than 100 participants;
3) the organiser of an outdoor event ensures that the number of participants,
including spectators is up to 100 people;
4) the organiser of the event ensures the availability of disinfectants.
[RT III, 28.05.2020, 2 – entry into force 28.05.2020]
211. As of 1 July 2020 sports competitions
are allowed if the organiser ensures compliance with the following requirements:
1) the organiser of an event ensures the scattering of people;
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
2) the organiser of an indoor event ensures up to 50% attendance capacity
but no more than 500 people;
3) the organiser of an outdoor event ensures the number of attendees
up to 1000 people.
[RT III, 22.05.2020, 3 – entry into force 21.05.2020]
212. As of 15 July 2020 sports competitions
are allowed if the organiser ensures compliance with the following requirements:
1) the organiser of an event ensures the scattering of people;
2) the organiser of an indoor event ensures up to 50% attendance capacity
but no more than 1500 people;
3) the organiser of an outdoor event ensures the number of attendees
up to 2000 people.
[RT III, 10.07.2020, 2 – entry into force 15.07.2020]
22. Until 31 May 2020 it is prohibited to engage in sports and train and carry out sports and exercise events in training groups indoors, unless the organiser ensures compliance with the requirement provided for in clause 1, up to 50% attendance capacity, the number of participants in a group up to 10 persons and the availability of disinfectants. The group requirements and capacity requirement do not apply to sports teams if requirements arising from the international competition rules for the sport are complied with, or to training of candidates for Estonian adult sports teams and championship league teams.
23. As of 1 June 2020 it is prohibited to engage in sports and
train and carry out sports and exercise events, unless the organiser ensures
the scattering of people and up to 50% attendance capacity and the availability
of disinfectants. The group requirements and capacity requirement do not apply
to sports teams if requirements arising from the international competition
rules for the sport are complied with, or to training of candidates for Estonian
adult sports teams and championship league teams.
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
24. Visiting museums and exhibitions is allowed considering the following
requirements:
1) the service provider ensures the scattering of people;
[RT III, 19.06.2020, 6 – entry into force 19.06.2020]
2) [repealed – RT III, 22.05.2020, 3 – entry into force
01.06.2020]
3) the service provider ensures the availability of disinfectants;
4) in rooms open for the public, the service provider has ensured wet
cleaning of surfaces subject to frequent touching after every 2 to 4 hours;
5) interactive displays are closed or the service provider has ensured
their wet cleaning after each use or the service provider has made disposable
gloves available to the visitors and has ensured the safe handling thereof
after use;
6) if possible, the service provider replaces physical information materials
handed out free of charge with digital ones;
7) no creative work or workshops with shared means of work are organised or
disinfection is ensured after each user.
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. This Order shall be published by broadcasters, on the website of the Government of the Republic and in the official gazette Riigi Teataja.
28. This Order takes effect on 18 May 2020.
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 new dangerous 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.
Facebook
Twitter