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Photo: Kadi-Liis Koppel
Photo: Kadi-Liis Koppel

    Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel advice for Tallinn, Estonia

    Practical tipsConvention
    18.01.2021 visittallinn.ee
    What are the different restrictions in place in Estonia to restrtict the spread of coronavirus? Read our overview and do not forget to remain vigilant about social distancing, wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay home when sick. Let's all help keep each other safe!

    Below is a summary of the latest restrictions and guidelines in place in Tallinn, Estonia. The most precise and up-to-date information is available on the website of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (travelling) and on the official coronavirus crisis portal Kriis.ee.
     
    Estonia's borders are open to passengers with no symptoms arriving from the European Union, the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, and selected non-European countries. You do not have to self-isolate upon arrival if: 
    • The relative coronavirus infection rate (cases per 100 000 habitants) in your country of origin is less than 150. 
    • You are coming from Latvia, Lithuania or Finland and are, first, equipped with a negative coronavirus test result taken within 48 hours before arriving in Estonia, and second, have not travelled outside the Baltic states or Finland in the past 10 days. 
    For detailed information on the restrictions in place in Estonia, consult the official crisis portal www.kriis.ee (in Estonian, English, and Russian) or call the crisis hotline at 1247 (+372 600 1247). For medical advice, please call the family doctors' helpline at 1220 (+372 634 6630, open 24h/7).

    What to know about the safety measures in place in Tallinn, Estonia?

    Physical distancing: 2+2 and 10+2 rules

    Physical distancing is essential to stop the spread of the virus. Please follow the basic rules:
    • 2+2: in indoor public areas (including shops, various service points, beauty salons etc.), please keep a safe distance of at least two metres (6,6 ft) and move in groups of no more than two people*
    • 10+2: groups of up to 10 people* are allowed together in restaurants, cafés, nightclubs and other similar entertainment facilities. Please keep a safe distance of at least two metres (6,6 ft) between the groups. 
    *The limitations on the number of people in groups do not apply to families. 

    Wear a face mask or cover your mouth and nose

    Wearing a mask or covering your mouth and nose is mandatory in public indoor spaces, including public transport, different service points, and during various recreational activities. 

    Children under 12, as well as people whose medical condition prevents them from wearing a mask, do not have to wear a face covering. They should, however, keep a safe distance (2+2) from others. 

    You can find more information about when and where to use a mask in Estonia on the kriis.ee website.      

    Public spaces: museums, attractions, restaurants, theatres, spas etc in Tallinn and Harjumaa

    Wearing a mask or covering your mouth and nose is mandatory in public indoor spaces, including public transport, different service points, theatres, cinemas, etc.

    At the moment, the following attractions, shops, and entertainment establishments are open, provided they comply with the rules on physical distancing (2+2) and hygiene:
    • Museums and galleries: operating limited to 50 per cent of maximum capacity
    • Malls, shopping centres, and individual shops: operating limited to 50 per cent of maximum capacity
    • Restaurants, bars and cafés: premises are allowed to open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 25 per cent of maximum capacity. Selling and buying takeaway food is permitted at all times. 
    • Gyms, sports clubs, and swimming pools: open only for individual training
    • Public playgrounds and outdoor sports grounds 
    • Tallinn's public beaches.
    The following establishments remain closed at least until 1 February 2021: 
    • Theatres, cinemas, and concert halls
    • Casinos, bowling alleys and billiard halls
    • Spas and saunas
    • Nightclubs and other similar recreational facilities. 
    NB! As a temporary measure, the sale of alcohol at entertainment and catering establishments is prohibited:  
    • Until 26 January 2021 from midnight (00:00) to 10 a.m.   
    • From 27 January 2021 from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m.

    Public events and group activities in Tallinn and Harjumaa

    From 18 January to 1 February 2021

    Public indoor events
    All public indoor events, meetings and group activities (incl. sports) are banned until 1 February 2021. 
    Public outdoor events
    Public outdoor activities (including meetings, recreational classes, sports activities etc.) are allowed with limitations on the number of participants: a maximum of 10 people per group. All outdoor events must end by 10 p.m. 
    Religious services
    Religious services can take place, provided that the number of participants does not exceed 50% of the maximum capacity of the church, and people are dispersed (2+2). 

    Coronavirus contact tracing app HOIA

    If you have a smartphone, download the HOIA contact tracing application. The app notifies you when you have been in close contact with a COVID-19 infected person. 

    Travel restrictions, compulsory self-isolation period, and testing

    As a temporary measure, Estonia has reintroduced border control. You can find more information about crossing the Estonian border during the global coronavirus epidemic on the kriis.ee website. 

    Who can enter the country? 

    • Estonian citizens and holders of an Estonian residency permit or right of residence
    • People with no symptoms arriving from the European Union, the members of the Schengen area, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and selected non-European countries. The full list is available on the website of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 
    • People arriving in Estonia for study and work - special conditions apply, see the website of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information. 
    Please bear in mind that if you enter the country, you may need to self-isolate. The compulsory quarantine (ten days) for people arriving in Estonia depends on whether the relative coronavirus infection rate (cases per 100 000 habitants) in their country of origin is less than 150. 

    See if you are required to self-isolate on the website of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (the infection rates are updated every Friday afternoon and come into force on Monday of the new week).

    I am arriving from a high-risk area. Can I take a test to reduce the compulsory self-isolation period?

    You can reduce the compulsory self-isolation period (ten days) by getting tested at the public testing centres at Tallinn Airport and the Port of Tallinn (terminals A and D) upon arrival. If you arrive by car or by bus, you can pre-book your testing time by phone: +372 678 0000 (Mo-Su from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

    Keep in mind that testing negative does not automatically exempt you from the compulsory self-isolation but can shorten it.

    You are required to take two tests: the first, upon arrival, and the second no earlier than seven days after the result of the first test.
    • Test yourself at the Tallinn airport or port. When awaiting test results, isolate yourself fully. 
    • If your result is negative, you are required to self-isolate in limited form for seven days: you can go to work or get groceries, but you have to avoid all unnecessary contacts and maintain physical distance in public areas.
    • In no later than seven days after receiving the first result, take a second test. If this one is also negative, you can resume normal activities. 
    Read more about the procedure, specific requirements, and potential fees on the website of the Estonian Health Board. 

    What else should I know about travelling to Estonia?

    • You can transit through Estonia to your home country if you have no symptoms of COVID-19. 
    • There are no restrictions on exiting the country.
    • Many flight, bus, and ferry connections have temporarily stopped or reduced their services - for details about your travel connection, please contact your travel company or service provider. 
    • International cruises: the start of the cruise ship season at the ports of Estonia has been delayed.
    Read more about travelling to Estonia and crossing the border on the crisis information portal kriis.ee (in English, Russian, and Estonian) or call the crisis hotline 1247 (+372 600 1247). 

    Consular information 

    If you need consular information or have questions about travel restrictions in other countries, you can find the contacts of diplomatic representations in Tallinn on the website of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (24h-helpline: +372 53 01 9999) 

    Tallinn Tourist Information Centre: opening times

    The staff at Tallinn's conveniently located Tourist Information Centre are always happy to assist you! The centre is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

    You can contact us by phone, e-mail or via social media. When in Tallinn, you can also simply drop by to ask questions, take free maps and brochures, or use the centre's free Wi-Fi to do your own research.

    We are committed to acting responsibly to minimise the spread of the coronavirus. The health of our customers as well as our team members is of utmost importance to us. 

    Medical help in Estonia

    • Family doctor advice line: +372 634 6630 (or 1220 if you have an Estonian number)
    • Emergency: 112
    If you need medical advice while in Tallinn, please contact the family doctor helpline at +372 634 6630 (or 1220 if you have an Estonian number). 

    A doctor answers your health questions in English every day from 15:00 to 17:00 (24h/7 in Estonian and Russian) and can also redirect you to the emergency line 112 if necessary.  

    Should your situation get worse, call 112 for an ambulance. 

    Travelling to Estonia

    Information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic 

    Keep a safe distance, wash your hands, and stay home when sick. Photo by: Kriis.ee
    Keep a safe distance, wash your hands, and stay home when sick. Photo by: Kriis.ee