11. [Repealed – RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]
2. The 10-calendar-day restriction referred to in clause 1
does not apply if:
[RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]
1) up to 72 hours before arrival in the country a person took a test
for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease and the results
of that test came back negative and, following arrival in Estonia, no earlier
than on the sixth day after the first test the person takes a second test for
the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease and the results of that
test also come back negative or a physician declares the person not to be contagious.
Until the test has come back negative the person is required to remain in their
place of residence or permanent place of stay;
2) a person who failed to take a test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing
the COVID-19 disease up to 72 hours before arrival in the country took
the test promptly after arrival in Estonia and the results of that test came
back negative and no earlier than on the sixth day after the initial test the
person takes a second test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19
disease and the results of that test also come back negative or a physician
declares the person not to be contagious. Until the test has come back negative
the person is required to remain in their place of residence or permanent place
of stay;
[RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 – entry into force 15.01.2021]
3) a person arrives from a third country for which information has not
been released on the European Union green list published on the website of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter European Union green list) and
if in the country from where the person arrives and under whose laws the person
is deemed to be its resident or is deemed to stay there legally the cumulative
number of positive tests for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 per
100,000 inhabitants for the past 14 days is greater than 16 or if the above
information is not available for that country and there is a high risk of the
virus spreading in that country and the person arrives in the Republic of Estonia
under the Aliens Act for the purpose of work or studies in an educational institution
registered in Estonia and the person is tested for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2
causing COVID-19 immediately after arrival in Estonia and the results of that
test come back negative and the person is re-tested no earlier than on the sixth
day after the first test and the results of that test also come back negative
or a physician declares the person not to be contagious. Until the test has
come back negative the person is required to remain in their place of residence
or permanent place of stay. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes information
on the morbidity rates by country on its website.
[RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]
3. A person referred to in clauses 1 and 2 may
leave their place of residence or permanent place of stay provided the person
takes measures imposed by the Government of the Republic or the Health Board
and all other possible measures for preventing the possible spread of the
communicable disease and the following circumstances occur:
1) the person is given an order by a health care professional or a police
officer to leave their place of residence or permanent place of stay;
2) the person leaves their place of residence or permanent
place of stay because a health care professional has referred them to receive
health services or in the event of an emergency that puts the person’s life or
health at risk;
3) the person referred to in sub-clauses 1) and 2) of
clause 2 performs urgent and inevitably necessary duties by a decision of
their employer and up to 72 hours before arrival in the country or after
arrival in the country the person has taken at least one test for the
coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19, the results of which came back
negative, or a physician has declared the person not to be contagious. Until
the test has come back negative the person is required to remain in their place
of residence or permanent place of stay;
4) a person who is an athlete, a coach or a team member who arrives in Estonia
from a third country referred to in sub-clause 3) of clause 2 for
the purpose of working and who has an employment relationship with a club playing
in Estonian championship league or who is involved in an athlete’s everyday
training activities at the Estonian national team level or who participates
in an international championship as an athlete or an athlete’s team member or
who is directly involved in carrying out aforesaid sports competition performs
urgent and inevitably necessary duties by a decision of their employer if after
arrival in the country the person has taken at least one test for the coronavirus
SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19, the results of which came back negative or if a
physician has declared the person not to be contagious. Until the test has come
back negative the person is required to remain in their place of residence or
permanent place of stay;
5) the person attends an urgent family occasion and up to 72 hours before
arrival in the country or after arrival in the country the person has taken
at least one test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19, the results
of which came back negative, or if a physician has declared the person not to
be contagious. Until the test has come back negative the person is required
to remain in their place of residence or permanent place of stay;
6) the person is getting the everyday essentials near their place of residence
or place of stay because it is otherwise impossible;
7) the person is outdoors and completely avoids contact with other persons;
8) for the performance of urgent duties, acquiring an education or due to a
family occasion, the person returns to the country from where the person arrived
in Estonia provided up to 72 hours before leaving Estonia the person took
at least one test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19, the results
of which came back negative, or if a physician has declared the person not to
be contagious.
The provisions of sub-clause 5) of this clause do not apply to a person
referred to in sub-clause 3) of clause 2.
[RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]
31. [Repealed – RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 – entry into force 15.01.2021]
4. The provisions of clauses 1 through 3 do not apply to asymptomatic
persons:
1) who are employees of a diplomatic mission or a consular post of a foreign
country or the Republic of Estonia or their family members or holders of an
Estonian diplomatic passport;
2) who arrive in the Republic of Estonia in the framework of international
military cooperation;
3) who are members of foreign delegations arriving in the Republic of Estonia
for the performance of duties on the invitation of a state or local authority;
4) who are directly involved in transporting goods and raw products, including
loading of goods or raw products, and who arrive in Estonia for the performance
of duties;
5) who arrive in Estonia for the purpose of providing health services or
other services necessary for responding to an emergency;
6) who are directly involved in international carriage of goods and passengers,
including a crew member and a ship’s crew member servicing an international
means of transport and a person performing repairs or warranty or maintenance
work on such a means of transport, and who arrive in Estonia for the performance
of duties;
7) whose purpose for arriving in the Republic of Estonia is directly related
to the provision of passenger transport services and who are servicing travel
groups;
8) whose purpose for arriving in the Republic of Estonia is related to
ensuring the continuity of a vital service;
9) who are using the territory of the Republic of Estonia for immediate
transit;
10) who are nationals, residents or long-stay visa holders of a Member
State of the European Union or a Schengen Member State or an EEA country or
the Swiss Confederation or the Principality of Andorra or the Principality of
Monaco or the Republic of San Marino or the Vatican City State (Holy See) or
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or their family members
and who arrive in the Republic of Estonia from said countries and who have been
in one or several of said countries for the past 10 days in succession,
provided the cumulative number of positive tests for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2
causing the COVID-19 disease per 100,000 inhabitants in said countries
for the past 14 days is equal to or less than 150. The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs publishes information on the morbidity rates by country on its website;
11) who are persons referred to in sub-clause 10) or persons who are
residents of a third country, according to the laws of that country, which is
on the European Union green list and who arrive in Estonia from said country,
provided the cumulative number of positive tests for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2
causing COVID-19 per 100,000 inhabitants in said country for the past 14 days
is equal to or less than 16;
[RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]
12) who arrive from a third country that is not on the European Union green
list and if in the country from where they arrive and under whose laws they
are deemed to be its residents or are deemed to stay there legally the cumulative
number of positive tests for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 per
100,000 inhabitants for the past 14 days is equal to or less than 16 and
if the above information is available for that country and there is no high
risk of the virus spreading in that country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
publishes this information on its website;
[RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]
13) who cross the state border between the Republic of Estonia and the
Republic of Latvia at least twice a week for the purpose of urgent cross-border
work or studies, provided the relevant person has taken at least one test for
the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 during the past seven days and the
results of that test have come back negative or a physician has declared the
person not to be contagious;
[RT III, 30.04.2021, 1 – entry into force 03.05.2021]
14) 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 provided they will not go beyond the borders of the administrative
territory of the local authorities of Valga and Valka, respectively.
[RT III, 30.04.2021, 1 – entry into force 03.05.2021]
41.[Repealed – RT III, 09.10.2020, 1 – entry into force 12.10.2020]
42. [Repealed – RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]
43. [Repealed – RT III, 30.04.2021, 1 – entry into force 03.05.2021]
44. [Repealed – RT III, 13.01.2021, 5 – entry into force 15.01.2021]
45. [Repealed – RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]
5. [Repealed – RT III, 04.09.2020, 1 – entry into force 04.09.2020]
6. [Repealed – RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
61. The
10-calendar-day requirement to remain in one’s place of residence or permanent
place of stay and the requirements for being tested for the coronavirus
SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19, as referred to in this Order, are not applied if a
person:
1) suffered from
COVID-19 and no more than six months have passed since the person was declared
healthy by a physician;
2) has been vaccinated
against COVID-19 and no more than six months have passed since the day of last
vaccination.
[RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
7. Public events, sports
competitions and sports and exercise events if the requirements established for
the participants differ from those set out in this Order are allowed on the
following conditions:
[RT III, 08.01.2021, 1 – entry into force 11.01.2021]
1) there is an
overriding public or national interest in the relevant event;
2) the local authority
of the location of the event has provided an opinion on the activity;
3) the Health Board has
provided an opinion on the suitability of the risk management plan drawn up by
the organiser of the event for preventing the spread of the coronavirus
SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 disease.
8. The 10-calendar-day
requirement to remain in one’s place of residence or permanent place of stay
and the requirements for being tested for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing
COVID-19, as referred to in this Order, are not applied to persons performing
at a public event referred to in clause 7 or persons directly involved in
carrying out such an event or persons who participate in a sports competition
or a sports event as an athlete or an athlete’s team member or who are directly
involved in carrying out a sports competition or a sports event. The Health
Board shall establish necessary restrictions on the freedom of movement of said
persons.
[RT III, 30.01.2021, 4 – entry into force 01.02.2021]
81. In public indoor spaces, up to two persons may be and move
around together while keeping at least two metres of distance from others. This
restriction does not apply to families and in cases when said requirements
cannot be reasonably ensured. For the purposes of this Order, public indoor
space means a space that has been given to the disposal of unspecified people
or that is at the disposal of unspecified people or in which unspecified people
are allowed to be; among other things, public transport vehicles are also
public indoor space.
[RT III, 22.04.2021, 1 – entry into force 03.05.2021]
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. Students may be 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, 9 and 12 and for students of
vocational educational institutions who will be taking their national
examinations in the academic year 2020/2021;
[RT III, 29.04.2021, 1 – entry into force 03.05.2021]
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;
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, 22.04.2021, 1 – entry into force 03.05.2021]
2014. Up to and including 9 May 2021 the
provisions of clauses 9 through 11 and 13 through 20 of this Order do not
apply and until said 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 if two
people participate, including the instructor, and if 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. The restriction on groups
and occupancy set out in this sub-clause 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 athletes in premier and 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;
2) engaging in sports, training, youth work, hobby activities,
hobby education and refresher training are allowed outdoors if it is ensured
that the number of participants is no higher than 10 people in a group,
including instructor, and that there is no contact with other groups. This
restriction does not apply to families. 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 or
team sport athletes in premier and 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) outdoor sports competitions and sports and exercise
events are allowed only if the number of participants is no higher than
150 people, if it is ensured that the number of participants is no higher
than 10 people in a group and that there is no contact with other groups,
and the organiser of an event ensures that attendees are not at the venue from
21:00 to 06:00. No spectators are allowed;
4) sports competitions and sports and exercise events
where the participants are team sport athletes in premier and championship
leagues, professional athletes competing within the competitions system of a
sports federation, members of and candidates for Estonian adult and youth
teams, or disabled persons or persons to whom social or occupational
rehabilitation services are provided are allowed indoors only if the
requirements provided for in clauses 81 and 82 are
complied with, and the total number of participants may be no higher than
100 people and outdoors no higher than 200 people. The availability
of disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection requirements according to
instructions from the Health Board shall be ensured indoors. No spectators are
allowed;
5) people may not be or move around in indoor public
saunas, spas, swimming pools or water parks, except for 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 10) of this clause and for engaging in sports and training on
the conditions provided for in sub-clauses 1) through 4) of this clause
and also 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. It is allowed to be and move
around in outdoor public saunas, spas, swimming pools and water parks if it is
ensured that the number of participants is no higher than 10 people in a
group and the total number of participants is no higher than 150 people
and no person is at said venues from 21:00 to 06:00. The restriction on
business hours and on stay and movement 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;
6) indoor public meetings, public events, including
conferences, theatre performances, concerts and film screenings and provision
of entertainment services, all with or without designated seats, are not
allowed. Said activities are allowed outdoors if it is ensured that the number
of participants is no higher than 10 people in a group and the total
number of participants is no higher than 150 people and no person is at
said venues from 21:00 to 06:00;
7) people may be and move around in indoor museums and
exhibition facilities and at public religious services and other public
religious rites if compliance with the requirements provided for in
clauses 81 and 82 is ensured and if
no person is at said indoor venues from 19:00 to 06:00 and it is ensured that
indoor occupancy does not exceed 25% per room. Group activities in museums and
exhibition facilities are not allowed. Said activities are allowed outdoors if
it is ensured that the number of participants is no higher than 10 people
in a group and the total number of participants is no higher than
150 people and no person is at said venues from 21:00 to 06:00. The
restriction on group activities is not applied, in the framework of hobby
activities and hobby education, to children or pupils in the same group in a
pre-school child care institution 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 class. The restriction on business
hours, number of people and occupancy set out in this sub-clause 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) customers may not be or move around in catering
establishments’ indoor 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. Customers may be and move
around in outdoor sales or service area if the service provider ensures that
the sales or service area occupancy is no higher than 50% and if it is ensured
that the number of people is no higher than 10 people at a table and from
21:00 to 06:00 people are and move around in said places only for the purpose
of takeaway or provision of delivery or transport services. The restrictions on
stay, movement, business hours and occupancy set out in this sub-clause do not
apply to 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. The availability
of disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection requirements according to
instructions from the Health Board shall be ensured indoors and outdoors. The
restrictions on stay, movement, business hours and occupancy set out in this
sub-clause do not apply on board of aircraft used for international carriage of
passengers. The restrictions on stay, movement, business hours and occupancy do
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 and moving around in indoor
catering establishments’ sales or service area and on business hours thereof as
set out in this sub-clause does not apply to petrol stations if the service
provider ensures that its customers will not consume any food or beverages on
the premises;
9) customers may be and move around in the sales area of
stores and in public spaces of commercial establishments located indoors if compliance
with the requirements provided for in clauses 81 and 82 is
ensured and occupancy is no higher than 25%. The restriction on occupancy
provided for in this sub-clause 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;
10) 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, 22.04.2021, 1 – entry into force 03.05.2021]
2015. The restrictions on persons being and moving
around and relevant measures provided for in this Order are not applied in
study buildings and other places of general education schools, vocational
educational institutions, institutions of professional higher education and
universities when state-organised immunisation is being carried out or when handling
of blood is being organised under the Blood Act. The organiser shall ensure
compliance with the requirements provided for in clauses 81 and 82,
the availability of disinfectants and compliance with the disinfection
requirements according to instructions from the Health Board.
[RT III, 01.04.2021, 2 – entry into force 05.04.2021]
21. Under § 44 (1) of the Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Act, supervision over the requirements imposed by this Order is exercised by the Health Board. The Health Board may involve the Police and Border Guard Board in the supervision, adhering to the requirements and procedure for professional assistance provided for in the Administrative Co-operation Act.
22. The restrictions and measures established by this Order shall apply until the date specified in this Order or until this Order is changed or repealed and the need for these restrictions and measures shall be assessed no later than after every two weeks.
23. This Order takes effect on 19 August 2020. Clause 2 and sub-clause 3) of clause 3 take effect on 1 September 2020.
24. [Omitted from this text.]
25. This Order shall be published on the website of the Government
of the Republic and in the official gazette Riigi Teataja.
This Order is issued considering the fact that under § 2 2) of the
Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Act the COVID-19 disease caused
by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 corresponds to the signs of a dangerous novel
communicable disease because there is no effective treatment and the spread
of the disease may exceed the hospital treatment capacity, and the requirements,
measures and restrictions established by this Order clearly have a significant
social and economic effect. The risk of the virus spreading is currently very
high and therefore, in order to minimise the risk, it is proportional to restrict
people’s freedom of movement in the places referred to in the Order for the
protection of the life and health of people and overriding public interest in
order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19
disease.
For the protection of the life and health of people and overriding public interest,
including for the protection of the continuity of the state, this Order establishes
requirements, measures and restrictions that are inevitably necessary for preventing
the spread of the virus. The reasons and considerations are set out in the explanatory
memorandum to the Order, which will be published on the website of the Government
of the Republic.
Failure to duly comply with measures for preventing the spread of the virus
will prompt the application of the administrative coercive measures set out
in § 28 (2) or (3) of the Law Enforcement Act. The maximum amount
of penalty payment is 9600 euros. This penalty payment, which serves the
purpose of enforcing the requirements, measures and restrictions imposed by
this Order and preventing the spread of the virus, may be imposed repeatedly.
This Order can be appealed against by filing a challenge with the Government
of the Republic pursuant to the procedure provided by the Administrative Procedure
Act within 30 days as of the day the relevant person became or should have
become aware of the Order. This Order can also be appealed against by filing
an action with the administrative court pursuant to the procedure provided for
in the Code of Administrative Court Procedure within 30 days as of the
day of announcement of this Order.
Reasons for the amendments made by the Government of the Republic Order No. 167 of 30 April 2021
For the protection of the life and health of people and overriding public interest, including for the protection of the continuity of the state, this Order imposes indispensable measures and restrictions for preventing the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19.
§ 28 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia (hereinafter the Constitution) provides for everyone’s right to protection of his or her health. In this case the fundamental right protects different values. Firstly, people’s right to protection of their health by having the state do everything in its power to stop the spread of the virus. Also, public interest in avoiding increased spread of the virus and mass infections as well as overload of the health care system. In a situation where contact with other people poses a great risk of the virus spreading the state has an obligation to minimise the risk of infection, which also means that, for the purpose of achieving this objective, contact between people may be restricted in an appropriate manner. Despite the fact that the infection rates are declining in Estonia as a result of the restrictions imposed and that the situation in health care institutions has stabilised, the Health Board finds that the COVID-19 rates across Estonia and the workload of the health care system are still very high.
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 Act (hereinafter the Act) and considering § 28 (8) thereof, the Government of the Republic may take measures for preventing communicable diseases when the application of measures and restrictions for the prevention of an epidemic spread of communicable diseases has a significant effect on society or economy. The following preconditions must be met: it is an extremely dangerous communicable disease or a dangerous novel communicable disease; the Health Board has given the Government of the Republic information and a recommendation on a measure (obligation or restriction) on the basis of epidemiological, laboratory and clinical information; the measure is absolutely necessary for preventing the spread of the virus or in other words the requirement must be proportional and rational; the measure is temporary or in other words limited in time and it brings about a significant social or economic effect.
Various restrictions on the freedom of movement and various measures for preventing and stopping the spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 have been established by the Government of the Republic Order No. 282 “Measures and restrictions necessary for preventing the spread of COVID-19” of 19 August 2020. Restrictions on the freedom of movement have been imposed, among others, on persons arriving in Estonia from abroad. The restrictions and measures serve the purpose of reducing contact between people and preventing the spread of the virus in an extensive and efficient manner.
This Order changes the requirement of being tested for those regularly crossing the state border for the purpose of work or studies. This change concerns asymptomatic persons who cross the state border between the Republic of Estonia and the Republic of Latvia at least twice a week for the purpose of urgent cross-border work or studies. If said persons can prove that they work or study in the Republic of Estonia and that they need to cross the state border on a regular basis, they will not be required to remain in isolation for 10 days or, for reducing the period of isolation, to take a test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 prior to arriving in the country or upon arrival in the country and to be re-tested on the sixth day after the first test, and this only applies if they have taken at least one test for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 during the past seven days and the results of that test have come back negative or if a physician has declared them not to be contagious. The current regulation fails to take into account that persons crossing the border on a daily basis for the purpose of work or studies are often unable, for objective reasons, to comply with the requirement for testing (no access to testing, the costs of testing in the Republic of Latvia are high). Considering said possible daily crossing of the border, testing once a week is a justified restriction that can be put to practice but at the same time it enables the prevention of the spread of the virus through regular testing.
This means that persons crossing the state border for the purpose of work or studies at least twice a week will be able to perform urgent duties instead of isolation or taking two to three tests for COVID-19, by taking one test a week. Employees and employers as well as people crossing the state border for study purposes will still be required to take appropriate 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, such as keep distance, wear a mask, comply with disinfection requirements.
No changes are made to clause 61 of the Order which sets out
a principle that 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 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 the last required vaccination.
The spread of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is still wide in Estonia and the infection rates are high. Consequently, the imposition of the requirements set out in the Order is an efficient and proportional measure for the protection of the life and health of people and in more general terms for the protection of public health and continuity of the medical system. Compared to various possible alternatives, the restrictions and measures have been assessed as being effective and restricting the rights and freedoms of people as little as possible. The reasons for the measures and restrictions are set out in the Order and the explanatory memorandum to the Order.
The restrictions imposed are based on the fact that COVID-19 caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is an infectious disease that spreads from one person to another by way of droplet infection, primarily upon close contact with an infectious person. This means that a person can contract the virus when in close contact with an infected person or through contaminated surfaces or, for example, hands. The virus spreads faster in poorly ventilated indoor spaces and people in risk groups (including older people) are in greater risk of the disease becoming serious or of complications or of needing hospital treatment.
On 29 April 2021, 4316 tests for the coronavirus were analysed and 425 of them, i.e. 9.85% of the total number of tests came back positive. As per 29 April 2021 there are 354 patients in hospital and 43 of them are on mechanical ventilation. Ten deaths occurred in 24 hours. As per 29 April 2021, 58.41% (455 beds) of the total number of hospital beds in Estonia were occupied, including 73.04% of intensive care beds (168 beds).
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.
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