From 1 September, those returning to Estonia from COVID-19 risk countries will have the opportunity to be tested for coronavirus at the airport and port in order to shorten the 14-day restriction on the freedom of movement and allow them to return to work sooner. Testing is free of charge for Estonian residents; foreigners can take the test at a cost of 67 euros and can pay on the spot by card.
Tests can be taken in the pedestrian area of terminals A and D of the Port of Tallinn as well as at a temporary testing point at Tallinn Airport based on a doctor’s referral note (issued on the spot). It takes about 5 minutes to complete the referral note and give a sample. People are tested on a first-come, first-served basis. The testing points are open each day until the last ship and air passengers arrive.
Those returning from a risk country by land (train, car, on foot) can arrange a suitable time for testing. To do this, the public Testing Call Centre set up by SYNLAB and Medicum will open a special telephone number (further details to follow). In Estonia, priority for testing is given to people with symptoms. Therefore, the waiting time is approximately 1-2 days, which is why it is recommended to book a time in advance as soon as one’s time of arrival to Estonia is known. Tests can be done in public testing spots all over Estonia in Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, Narva, Kohtla-Järve, Viljandi, Paide, Rakvere, Kuressaare and Kärdla.
Foreigners can take a coronavirus test to shorten the 14-day period of restriction on the freedom of movement for a fee of 67 euros. Bookings can be made by calling the telephone numbers of service providers offering paid services.
Testing will be provided by a public testing organisation, whose samples will be analysed by the SYNLAB laboratory, based on an agreement with the Estonian Health Board.
Until the test results are known, one must be in complete self-isolation. In the case of a negative result, the person will be notified via text message, positive results will be communicated over the phone. The result will also be visible when entering the health information system with an ID card. In the case of a negative test result, the person must stay in limited self-isolation for the first seven days following arrival to Estonia, i.e. the person can go to work and, for example, a shop, but unnecessary contacts must be avoided. The person should also keep their distance from others while at work.
A second test must be performed no earlier than 7 days after the results of the first test, and if it is also negative, a person can resume their daily life. This means that after two negative tests a person will not be subjected to the full 14-day period of restriction on the freedom of movement, which applies to everyone coming from high-risk countries who did not undergo testing. The public Testing Call Centre will get in touch with a person to book a time for the second test.
A country with a coronavirus infection rate of 16 cases per 100 000 people or higher is considered a coronavirus risk country.
An updated list of risk countries is published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs every Friday and comes into force on Monday of the following week. Up-to-date information can be found at: https://vm.ee/en/information-countries-and-self-isolation-requirements-p…
Additional information:
https://www.terviseamet.ee/en/
https://www.kriis.ee/en