The government has specified the COVID-19 regulation in connection with crossing the state border and the imposition of the self-isolation requirement for children, minors, and those turning 19 during the current academic year. The updated requirements concern entering Estonia from high-risk countries where the infection rate per 100,000 residents in the last 14 days exceeds 75. In addition, the exemption from self-isolation in the event of close contact with someone infected with COVID-19 will also extend to in-school hobby education. The new requirements will enter into force on Monday, 27 September.
A requirement will be established for children under the age of 12, pursuant to which children arriving in Estonia with a parent or caregiver who has not been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 will need to take a COVID PCR test on the third day after their return to no longer be subject to self-isolation. For example, if they arrived back from a trip on Sunday, the test must be taken on Wednesday. If the child has no symptoms, they may go to their school, kindergarten, or childcare establishment and participate in the activities of hobby groups there as soon as they get back from their trip. If the test taken on the third day after their return from a trip is positive, they must remain in quarantine. Starting from the tenth day, the child may also participate in the activities of a hobby group outside their school or kindergarten.
Children under the age of 12 who arrive in Estonia with a parent or caregiver who has been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 and who have no symptoms are allowed to participate in schoolwork and hobby education without limitations. Children aged 12–18 and those turning 19 during the current academic year whose parent or person accompanying them has not been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 and who are not vaccinated themselves will also need to take a PCR test on the third day after returning from their trip to no longer be subject to the self-isolation requirement. Otherwise, they are subject to the same requirements as children under the age of 12.
In addition, the government is amending the requirement for minors to remain in self-isolation in case of coming into close contact with someone infected with COVID-19 during hobby education activities in their school or kindergarten. This means that if a child comes into contact with someone infected with COVID-19 in their childcare establishment, kindergarten, or school but develops no symptoms, they may continue to attend the school or kindergarten, as well as hobby groups, provided that they are only attended by the children and young people from the same school or kindergarten. If the close contact takes place in those hobby groups, they may also continue to attend the school or kindergarten, provided they have no symptoms.
If a child or a young person comes into close contact with someone infected with COVID-19 in their school, kindergarten, or hobby group held there, they are not allowed to take part in hobby education or hobby activities, youth work, etc. taking place outside of those establishments for 10 days.
The Government Communication Unit will publish the order and the explanatory memorandum on the website kriis.ee.
Tables with the infection rates of countries are available at https://vm.ee/en/information-countries-and-self-isolation-requirements-passengers.