Estonian govt approves restrictions taking effect Monday

  • 2021-01-10
  • BNS/TBT Staff

TALLINN - The government at an e-sitting on Friday approved a regulation concerning 13 Estonian counties and establishing restrictions on hobby education, recreational activities, refresher training and education, youth work and sports staring from Monday.

The restrictions concern all counties in Estonia, except Harju and East-Viru counties. In the latter two counties, contact learning will resume in school grades 1-4, 9 and 12. Restrictions established earlier will remain in force in these two counties in other respects. Restrictions for East-Viru and Harju counties after Jan. 17 will be determined on Jan. 14 at the latest.

Pursuant to state-wide regulation valid from Jan. 11, contact learning is to resume in all general education school levels, vocational schools and higher education establishments, except in Harju and East-Viru counties. The organization of contact learning must follow guidelines by the Ministry of Education and Research and the Health Board. 

From Jan. 11, the number of participants in outdoor hobby education and recreational activities as well as refresher training and education, sports activities and youth work will be capped at 25 people, including the coach or instructor. Groups must not come into contact with any other groups during the activities.

In indoor environments, said activities can be attended by up to 11 people, including the coach or instructor. Groups must not come into contact with any other groups during the activities. Room occupancy must not exceed 50 percent. A mask must be worn indoors, except by children aged below 12 and in cases where wearing a mask is not possible due to health reasons or the nature of the activity.

Disinfectants must be ensured for both indoor and outdoor activities and disinfection requirements by the Health Board must be followed.

Sports competitions and sports activities are permitted in outdoor environments for groups of up to 25 participants including the coach or instructor. Groups must not come into contact with any other groups during the activities.

Indoor sports competitions and events may only take place for championship teams participating in the competition system of a sports association, professional athletes and members and candidates of Estonian adult and youth teams. A mask must be worn indoors, except in situations where it is not possible to do so, for instance when directly taking part in competition situations.

Sports competitions and events, both indoors and outdoors, must be held without spectators. Disinfectants must be guaranteed in both environments and disinfection requirements by the Health Board must be followed.

The need for the restrictions will be reassessed in two weeks.