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Wearing masks in public indoor premises will become mandatory for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people from Friday. Children between the ages of 12 and 17 will also have to present Covid certificates to access events where documents are checked but can alternatively produce a negative test result. Covid certificates will only be valid with identity documents.
Masks must be worn indoors by adults during hobby activities and education, refresher training and at conferences; in the theater, at concerts and in cinemas; at entertainment services, museums and exhibitions, as well as in the public areas of catering establishments. Masks must also be worn at indoor public meetings and other events. Masks must be worn in public areas for sports, training, sports competitions and sports and exercise events, as well as in saunas, spas, swimming pools and water parks. Masks do not have to be worn when it is not possible, for example when directly exercising and in contact with water, as well as when eating in a restaurant.
From November 1, minors 12-17 years of age (inclusive) must also submit a COVID-19 certificate in order to gain access to activities where the documents are checked. For minors, in addition to proof of completion of a vaccination cycle or recovery from the disease, negative coronavirus PCR or antigen-RT test result is also valid for access to events and activities. The PCR test must be performed no more than 72 hours and the antigen-RT test no more than 48 hours before the event and the test must be performed by a healthcare provider. In addition, the result of a rapid antigen test performed in a general pharmacy is also accepted. A negative test result cannot be used in place of a vaccination or recovery certificate for those over 18 years of age.
To participate in checked events and activities, an identity document must be presented together with the COVID-19 certificate from November 1. This means that the organizer will also have to establish the identity of the certificate holder when verifying the COVID-19 certificate. Until now, visitors had to be asked for an identity document only in case of reasonable doubt.
From November 1, a restriction on movement in public indoor areas will be introduced from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. The restriction does not apply to the opening hours of the service area of shops and service providers, as well as to the purchase of food for takeaway from catering establishments.
Nightclubs and clubs, bars and other entertainment and leisure establishments will be mainly affected by the operating time restrictions. Cinemas, theaters and concert halls, museums and exhibition halls must also close their doors. The restriction also applies to water parks, spas, public saunas, swimming pools, and the like. Sports competitions and events must also end by 11 p.m.
In addition, members of the government considered it necessary to issue a guideline to cancel all major events in the public sector that are not absolutely necessary until January 10.
In order to break the chains of coronavirus infection in the school environment as soon as possible, the government also supported the proposal of Minister of Education and Research Liina Kersna to introduce weekly screening in general education and vocational schools.