Government cuts COVID-19 self-isolation measure to 10 days

Coronavirus samples. Photo: Mihkel Maripuu

The Estonian government has ruled to cut from 14 days to 10 days the period of time that people returning from travel to a high infection risk country as well as close contacts of an infected person must spend in self-isolation.

The possibility continues to be available for people arriving in Estonia to replace the restriction on the freedom of movement with two tests, one of which is performed immediately after arrival in Estonia and the other not earlier than on the seventh day after obtaining the negative result of the first test. If the results of both tests are negative, the person can resume their normal day-to-day life without waiting until the end of the ten-day self-isolation period. 

The exceptions concerning travel to Estonia from Latvia, Lithuania and Finland also continue to apply, spokespeople for the government said.

Also the length of the mandatory self-isolation period for close contacts of infected persons has been cut to 10 days if the person takes a coronavirus test not earlier than on the tenth day after coming into close contact with the infected person and the test returns a negative result or if a doctor has deemed the person safe. The date of the last close contact is determined by the Health Board.

The amendments approved by the government on Thursday also specify existing regulation and allow for an exception under certain circumstances enabling close contacts without whom the performance of the duties of the state or a municipality would not be possible or seriously disturbed to continue performing an unavoidable duty in urgent cases. An exception is also offered for people ensuring vital services.

The amendments will start to apply starting Friday to everyone in quarantine or self-isolation, including to those people to whom a restriction on the freedom of movement or quarantine already applies as of Friday. 

The government’s decisions are based on findings of scientific research, according to which about 95 percent of people develop symptoms within 10 days after coming into contact with a sick person.

Based on that, shortening of the period of self-isolation has been recommended also by international organizations and the Estonian Society for Infectious Diseases, the scientific council advising the government, and the Health Board.

The period of isolation has been shortened already by several European countries, including Finland and Latvia.

The government’s decision did not change the length of the quarantine period for people with a COVID-19 diagnosis.