On 12 March the Government of Estonia declared an emergency situation in response to the pandemic spread of the coronavirus in the world.
Amendments to several orders regarding travel to Estonia were made on 18 March 2020. The amendments are below. Underneath you will find the original notice:
Due to rapidly changing circumstances in the spread of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Jüri Ratas made amendments to several previously issued orders. The order specifies the measures were adopted to protect the life and health of people and the overriding public interest. The measures are essential for preventing the spread of the virus.
Firstly, the list of risk countries was abolished. The list was established to identify people coming to Estonia from countries at risk and it was updated daily. There is no longer any point in updating the list daily, as coronavirus outbreaks have spread throughout the world. Everyone arriving in Estonia has to stay in isolation for two weeks.
Secondly, filling out a health questionnaire is no longer required from all persons who cross the border to enter Estonia. The amendment retains the right of the police to require completing a health declaration if necessary, for example, if a person crossing the border has signs of disease.
Thirdly, the exceptions to the requirement of a two-week isolation upon arrival in Estonia are supplemented. With a special permit from the police, persons, such as the president, prime minister, members of the government, and consuls, are not required to undergo 14 days of self-isolation if they do not have symptoms of illness.
Notice of 14 March 2020:
Estonia’s borders are open, but in order to stop the spread of the virus, there are certain recommendations and measures in place. Out of consideration for the health of international visitors as well as residents of Estonia, we recommend postponing your trips.
People coming from a risk area (such as Italy) or who have contracted the virus/been in close contact with those affected are recommended to postpone any plans to travel to Estonia. Anyone whose travel to Estonia from risk areas is unavoidable must remain in self-isolation for 14 days, effective from Monday, 16 March.
At border crossing points, health checks will be employed to detect the symptoms of the coronavirus in people. People will also need to start filling in forms upon entering the country in order to identify the origin of their stay. Health will also be monitored in airports and ports. The requirement to fill in forms will be introduced similarly to the land border crossing points.
Package cruises on the Tallinn-Stockholm route are suspended. Regular ferry traffic continues but measures to limit the spread of the virus will be developed and implemented in cooperation with shipping companies. The measures to limit the spread of the virus will be developed and implemented in cooperation with the shipping company.
Estonian residents are advised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia not to plan holiday travel for the coming months. We also ask to seriously consider the necessity of other travel (business trips, visits to family and friends, etc.). The risk of being quarantined or finding yourself in areas affected by restricted movement may arise very suddenly while travelling.
The risk areas as determined by the government committee on 13 March, based on recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and risk evaluation, are: China, South Korea, Singapore, Iran, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Egypt. This list is subject to change.
The exact details of self-isolation are being worked out by the Ministry of the Interior in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by 16 March. Further details will be clarified in due course.
More information on measures in place during the emergency situation: https://www.valitsus.ee/en/news/government-declared-emergency-situation-estonia-until-1-may
FAQ for tourists: https://vm.ee/en/coronavirus-2019-ncov
Foreign Ministry press release 14 March 2020: https://vm.ee/en/news/urgent-travel-advice-ministry-foreign-affairs
Additional information:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Communication Department
+ 372 588 55 171