Stenbock House, 19 August 2021 – Today, the government adopted a decision in principle that from 26 August, a mask must be worn in public indoor areas where COVID certificates are not checked. In addition, in public areas where infection safety must be proved, all customers or participants, regardless of the number of people, must present a COVID certificate.
“The expanded spread of the significantly more contagious delta strain of the coronavirus in Estonia has led to an increase in the spread of the virus and the number of people requiring hospitalisation is also increasing,” said Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. “We must protect ourselves and others so that the spread of the coronavirus does not force us to go into lockdown again at the beginning of the school year. Firstly, people need to complete the vaccination course as soon as possible and be prepared to prove their infection safety. Secondly, in order to reduce the spread of the highly contagious delta strain, we must start wearing masks not only in public transport but also in shops, banks, and post offices, and other public spaces where the COVID certificate is not checked.”
From 26 August, the obligation to wear a mask will be extended to all public indoor areas where COVID certificates are not checked
In public indoor areas where infection safety is not checked, masks must be worn after one week at the latest. In addition to the current obligation to wear a mask in public transport, the requirement will also extend to shopping centres and shops, as well as the provision of services in banks, post offices, and elsewhere.
The obligation to wear a mask does not apply to children under the age of 12 or if wearing a mask is not possible for health or other crucial reasons.
From 26 August, the requirement to present a COVID certificate will be extended to all customers or participants, regardless of the number of people
From 26 August, all participants (from the age of 18) must present their COVID certificate for all the activities and events listed below, both indoors and outdoors.
This means that the COVID certificate must be presented for sport, training, youth work, hobby activities and education, refresher training and refresher courses; at sports competitions and sports and exercise events; in saunas, spas, water parks, and swimming pools; at public meetings and events, including in theatres and cinemas, at concerts and conferences; in museums and exhibition halls; for entertainment services; and for eating and drinking on site in catering establishments. All participants must also prove their infection safety when the activity or event takes place at the place where the service is provided, such as when renting a catering establishment or ordering a theatre performance.
The COVID certificate does not need to be presented for outdoor events with an unlimited territory.
The COVID certificate does not need to be presented in shopping centres or shops. It is also not necessary to prove infection safety when buying take-away food from a restaurant or café. However, as indicated above, a mask must be worn in these places or cases.
The COVID certificate indicates whether the person has recovered from the coronavirus, has been vaccinated or is considered equivalent to a vaccinated person, or has a negative coronavirus test. Additional information: https://www.kriis.ee/en/vaccination-certificate
You can create a digital COVID certificate on the Patient Portal (read more: https://www.terviseamet.ee/en/digital-covid-certificate). People who need help with creating it can turn to the service points of the Social Insurance Board (https://sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee/et/organisatsioon-kontaktid/kontaktid/sotsiaalkindlustusameti-klienditeenindused). Local governments and libraries also help people to print their digital certificates.
Today, the government adopted a decision in principle; the corresponding order is scheduled for approval on Monday. The Government Communication Unit will make a separate notification thereof and publish the order and its explanatory memorandum on the website kriis.ee.