Tallinn – The Estonian Government discussed in a cabinet meeting and approved by a sitting a resolution changes to the regulations based on the recommendations of the European Union, which regulate the requirements for self-isolation and testing valid upon arrival in Estonia; From Monday, people can come to Estonia without restrictions from a European country with a two-week infection rate of up to 75 per 100,000 people.
The order changes the requirements for self-isolation and testing after arrival in Estonia from a European Union or Schengen member state, the European Economic Area or Great Britain. According to the recommendations of the European Union, the restrictions are divided into three categories according to the risk level of the country from which the person arrives in Estonia.
According to the amendment, without restrictions, you can come to Estonia from a European country with a 14-day infection rate of 100 or less per 100,000 people. If the national infection rate is in the range of 75–200, then restrictions will not apply upon arrival in Estonia if the person has proof of vaccination against COVID-19, disease or a negative test result. Upon arrival in Estonia without proof, a coronavirus test must be performed upon arrival in the country. Until the result is known, the person must be at his or her place of residence.
When arriving from a European country with an infection rate of more than 200, self-isolation must be maintained for 10 days, which can be shortened by two negative tests. A person who has completed a course of vaccination or has suffered from COVID-19 disease is exempt from the restrictions.
The amendment also introduces an exemption for minors travelling in Europe with a person who has been vaccinated or has suffered from COVID-19 and is therefore exempt from self-isolation.
According to the amendment, an unvaccinated minor aged 12-18 does not have to remain in solitary confinement if he or she arrives with a companion from a European country with an infection rate higher than 75 and has passed a negative test either before or immediately upon arrival in Estonia. The same rules also apply if a minor arrives in Estonia from a third country that is on the European Union’s green list and has an infection rate higher than 75. Children under the age of 12 are exempt from isolation and testing.
An unvaccinated minor aged 12–18 can come to Estonia from third countries with a high risk of infection under a simplified procedure if he or she travels with a vaccinated escort. In this case, the minor must perform either a coronavirus PCR test up to 72 hours before arriving in Estonia or a rapid antigen rapid test up to 48 hours earlier, the result of which is negative. The test must also be performed immediately upon arrival in Estonia, and the result must also be negative. Children under the age of 12 do not need to take the test. Exceptions for children do not apply to groups of minors travelling together.
In addition, the deadline for releasing a person with COVID-19 from self-isolation is specified. According to the amendment, a person who has suffered from COVID-19 and is no longer at risk of infection is exempted from self-isolation and testing, and no more than 180 days have elapsed since the confirmation test or diagnosis was confirmed.
According to the agreement of the Member States of the European Union, the proof of eradication can be used for release from self-isolation at the earliest on the 11th calendar day after the positive PCR test. If a PCR test has not been performed, it is possible to use a medical certificate issued by the doctor. Until now, the start of the six-month isolation exemption was calculated from the time when the doctor had declared the person with COVID-19 healthy.
A similar change applies to people with COVID-19 who have been vaccinated with a single dose. At present, a person is exempt from self-isolation if they have suffered from COVID-19 during the past year and subsequently received a single dose of the vaccine, or who have suffered from COVID-19 after receiving the first dose of vaccine. According to the amendment, in these cases also a period of one year is calculated from the result of a positive PCR test or the date of confirmation of the diagnosis.
The amendment brings the rules in force in Estonia in line with the EU Digital Certificate Regulation and the recommendations of the EU Council. The orders enter into force on July 19.
