Currently, up to 6,000 and 12,000 people are allowed to attend indoor and outdoor events, respectively, when presenting the COVID certificate, but from Monday on, only 1,000 and 2,000 participants are allowed to attend indoor and outdoor events, respectively. The change is necessary to reduce social contacts and the risk of coronavirus transmission in a situation where the Estonian infection rate and the number of COVID-19 patients in hospital are at a very high level.
The limit does not apply to event organisers, staff, or performers, but only to participants and spectators. In addition to respecting the new limit, the disinfection, dispersal, and mask requirements must also be followed at events and in activities.
Pursuant to the order in force, adults who have been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 as well as children and young people who have been vaccinated, recovered from COVID-19, or properly tested can take part in activities where the COVID-19 certificate is required.
With the order of today, the government also specified the age limit from which minors are required to present the COVID-19 certificate. Until now, proof of vaccination, recovering from COVID-19, or a negative test result was required from children aged 12 and above to participate in the above activities, but with the new order, the new limit will be 12 years and three months. As children can be vaccinated from the age of 12 and it takes eight weeks before the Pfizer vaccine grants full protection, the new change will allow children to complete the vaccination course before they are required to present the COVID-19 certificate.
The government has also extended the exemption allowing students to participate in certain activities without proving vaccination, recovering from COVID-19, or presenting a negative test result. In addition to hobby education, sports, training, and refresher training, the exemption will apply to post-curricular school visits to museums and exhibitions.
The order issued by the government today will enter into force on 15 November. The order together with the explanatory memorandum will be published in Riigi Teataja and on the website kriis.ee.
