Estonia lowers attendance caps on events

The changes are effective from 2 August and apply to activities which do not require immunity checks

The Estonian government has decided to lower the attendance limits of indoor and outdoor events and activities where participants are not subjected to immunity checks, informs kriis.ee, the official Covid-19 crisis page. The measure aims to limit the spread of the coronavirus following reports of several new cases occurring at sporting and entertainment events.

Infection-controlled events enjoy advantage

As of 2 August, the attendance at events and activities which do not require mandatory checks of the visitors’ infection safety (proven via a certificate of vaccination, recovery or negative test), will be capped at 500 participants indoors and 1500 participants outdoors. At present, the maximum number of people who can take part in such events and activities is limited to 1000 and 5000 respectively.

For events and activities with immunity checks in place, the current arrangement will continue to apply, with up to 6000 people allowed to participate indoors and 12,000 outdoors.

The changes apply to public meetings and events, including conferences, theatre performances, concerts, movie screenings, entertainment services, church services, museums and exhibitions. In addition, they hold good of coaching, youth work, leisure activities, recreational education, refresher training and continuing education, as well as the organisation of sports competitions and sporting and physical activity events. Saunas, spas, aquatic centres and swimming pools for public use also fall within the scope of the new measures.

No change in curbs on restaurants and shops

There is no change in the restrictions regarding catering establishments, commercial enterprises and service providers. Eating in the outdoor and indoor dining areas is allowed, but the requirement for dispersal (keeping strangers at a reasonable distance) must be considered indoors. Shops and service points must ensure dispersal of customers, too.

The disinfection requirements must be adhered to. Wearing a face mask in public indoor areas is recommended.

Limiting events is the second-best prevention tool

The new limit values have been set according to an assessment by the Health Board. It took into account the projected level of infection at the end of August, the vaccination coverage of the population, the number of recoveries and the 90 per cent prevalence in Estonia of the Delta variant which is 60 per cent more contagious than the Alpha strain.

The Health Board concluded that large events promote the transmission of the virus, and lowering the number of events and participants is the next most effective containment tool after vaccination.