Register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive important information from the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn.
This information was updated on March 27, 2020
The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory advising U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.
- Travel to the U.S.
- For the most current information regarding COVID-19, the March 11 (updated March 14) Presidential Proclamation, and its impact on travel to the United States, please visit dhs.gov and www.whitehouse.gov.
- Entry restrictions do not apply to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents and (generally) immediate family members of U.S. citizens.
- U.S. citizens who have been in the Schengen zone in the last 14 days, please visit www.CDC.gov and www.dhs.gov for more information. Please be advised that self-quarantine regulations also apply to U.S. citizens who transit Schengen zone countries on their return to the United States. More information here.
- Country-Specific Information:
- On March 12, the Estonian Government declared an Emergency Situation in connection to COVID-19. Up to date information can be found on the U.S. Embassy’s Webpage and on the Estonian Health Board’s English-language page.
- There are confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Estonia.
- Anyone in Estonia who thinks they have symptoms, should ask for advice by calling their family physician or the family physician advisory line, 1220, or call 112 for an ambulance. If you have general questions about the virus, you can call the Estonian Alarm Center’s COVID-19 Helpline at 1247, which is in operation 24/7.
- The Estonian Government has taken the following measures; they will be reviewed every two weeks. The Police and Border Guard has made it clear that these measures will be monitored and enforced.
- No more than two people are legally allowed to gather inside or outside, except for families and those performing public duties. All people need to maintain two meters of distance from one another in public spaces.
- All schools are closed. Primary schools, high schools, and universities are using distance learning. Kindergartens may remain open based on local government decisions.
- All shopping centers are closed. The only stores remaining open are grocery stores, pharmacies, mobile phone and telecommunications stores, banks, and medical supply stores.
- All public cafes and restaurants may only provide take out service and close no later than 10 pm each evening.
- Bars, pool halls, clubs, and bowling alleys are closed.
- Children’s outdoor playgrounds and outdoor adult exercise areas are closed.
- Museums and movie theaters are closed.
- Sports competitions, performances, concerts, and conferences are prohibited until May 1.
- The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board has issued this information granting legal basis for the temporary stay in Estonia for foreigners who are unable to return home due to the COVID-19 emergency situation; exceptions apply. Please read this carefully if you think this applies to you.
- Entry and Exit Requirements:
- The Government of Estonia has reintroduced strict border controls in order to contain the spread of COVID-19. Only citizens of Estonia and holders of Estonian residency permit or right of residence, as well as foreign citizens whose family member lives in Estonia are allowed entry.
- There are no legal restrictions on exiting Estonia.
- At this time, foreigners are allowed to transit Estonia on the way to their home country if they do not show symptoms of COVID-19. This includes entering at the southern border with Latvia and driving to Tallinn Airport.
- Flights will be extremely limited to major European transit hubs out of Tallinn Airport. Please contact your carrier with questions; you can find their information here.
- Currently Lufthansa will continue flying out of Tallinn to Frankfurt three times per week. Belavia will continue flying to Minsk, where there are connections to other European hubs.
- At the border control, travel documents and medical symptoms will be checked.
- Ferries between Helsinki and Tallinn continue on a limited schedule. Three ferries per week are available from Paldiski to Sassnitz, Germany for travelers with vehicles.
- Additional information on these restrictions can be found here: https://vm.ee/en/coronavirus-2019-ncov.
- Please note: Estonia’s neighboring countries of Finland, Russia, and Latvia have all moved to restrict entry into their countries for anyone other than citizens and residents. The Finnish Border Guard has indicated Americans with residency in Estonia or another EU country can enter Helsinki by ferry from Tallinn, and transfer out of the country at Helsinki Airport. Americans without residency likely will not have this option.
- Quarantine Information:
- If a case is identified, the individual will be put in isolation. The Health Board will reach out to those who were possibly in close contact with an affected individual, and advise them to limit their social engagements. If possible, people who were potentially exposed to the virus are encouraged to voluntarily quarantine themselves at home and continuously monitor their own health.
- Local Resources:
- The Estonian Health Board (in English): https://www.terviseamet.ee/en/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-previously-known-2019-ncov.
- The Estonian Alarm Center has established a helpline aimed at addressing key questions regarding COVID-19 by simply dialing 1247 from Estonia. The helpline operates 24/7 and is free to call. However, for medical consultations and advice, please call the family physician advisory line at 1220.
- Estonian Police and Border Guard Board’s General order on granting legal basis for the temporary stay in Estonia
- The Rescue Board has set up an interactive website to handle crisis-related questions in English.
