Advice, guidelines and support addressing the COVID-19 crisis.

We have collected information from the government and the Health Board and put together these guidelines to be followed during the Covid-19 outbreak in order to, despite the current circumstances, maintain a working film industry whilst preventing the spread of the virus. 

Please bear in mind, these guidelines are not intended to provide a solution for all types of productions -rather its aim is to assist in the preparation of the infection protection plan for each production.

It’s above all important to  maintain common sense and a sensible and caring attitude in all circumstances. 

Current status of the curve can be followed here.
Official information about COVID-19 in Estonia can be seen here.
Restrictions in force in Estonia can be seen here.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

All passengers arriving in Estonia by plane (including children for whom the data is provided by their parent) must fill in the traveller’s questionnaire before arriving in Estonia. You can do this up to three days before arriving in Estonia. The border guard or the airline may ask for confirmation of the border crossing declaration sent by e-mail either electronically or on paper. Those arriving by ship, bus, or car are obliged to fill in the traveller’s questionnaire when arriving from a country marked in red in the table or an equivalent country.

The following people can enter Estonia without restrictions:

1. Estonian citizens and residents and their family members;
2. citizens, residents, and holders of long-stay visas of the European Union* and the European Economic Area (and Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), the Swiss Confederation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Principality of Andorra, the Republic of San Marino, or the Vatican City State (the Holy See) and their family members;
3. people arriving from countries referred to in clause 2;
4. people who have left Ukraine due to the war;
5. children under 12 years of age;
6. third-country nationals arriving from third countries who present  a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate; a valid COVID-19 recovery certificate; or a negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test result performed by a health care professional or a SARS-CoV-2 antigen-RTD test approved by the European Union Health Safety Committee taken up to 48 hours before arrival in Estonia;
7. unvaccinated third-country nationals who have no symptoms who are passing through the territory of Estonia to reach their country of residence.
8. There are other exceptions pursuant to which, for example, transporters of goods and raw materials, people involved in international freight and passenger transport, people involved in the technological work of a company operating in Estonia, health care providers, diplomats, people arriving in Estonia in the framework of international military cooperation, and people with special entry permits may enter the country.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR FILM PRODUCTION

• Production companies shall assess the precautionary measures to be taken on set against coronavirus spread before shooting, thus, taking a collective responsibility to eliminate risks of infection on set. 
• In pre-production, evaluate the risks and plan ahead to keep the crew safe. Communication is key; let everybody in the team know the precautions they must follow. Adapt accordingly to the changing situation.
• The number of crew members on set should be kept to a minimum. Keep in mind the location and its size whilst planning the shoot. 
• Appoint an infection control officer. Presumably, this could be added as one of the duties of the location manager, who would be the contact person regarding all inquiries about coronavirus and the precautionary measures taken against it on set. They need to provide and make sure disinfectants, protective masks, hand washing facilities and illustrated instructions are always readily available on set. 
• In case of suspicion or symptoms associated with the COVID-19 disease, it is forbidden to come on set. An unwell person must stay home. (They can return to work after a 14-day quarantine period, on the condition that they have fully recovered - no fever or respiratory symptoms. The infected crew member must contact their GP.)
• You must inform the production company immediately if you are COVID-19 positive. 
• After the positive diagnosis has been confirmed, the workplace and tools used by the infected crew member shall be disinfected in their entirety. Determine the people who came into close contact with the infectious person when they were already symptomatic. Those in close contact need to self-isolate at home for two weeks and observe if they develop any symptoms. Other crew members can continue their work but keep an eye on their health as well. 
• Even if a crew member was not diagnosed with COVID-19, all the other crew members must monitor their health for 14 days. 
• Opt to have pre-production and meetings online via Zoom, Skype etc. If for some reason this is not possible then maintain social distancing and hygiene measures, keeping with the 2+2 rule.
• Keep in mind the members of the risk group, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases, whilst planning as they are more prone to exhibit the severe forms of the disease and thus, need extra precautions.
• Masks and hand sanitisers: Although masks are not mandatory at this time, production must provide masks for all people on set. Their use is strongly recommended for interior spaces, where it is difficult to consistently maintain social distancing.
• Maintain hygiene on set. This includes frequent cleaning of contact surfaces.
• Make-up and costume department areas should be separated. When being in close contact with the actors, protective masks are required, and it is also recommended to wear disposable gloves. If possible, only one crew member at a time should work with an actor on a specific task. Make sure the workplace does not get crowded with people. 
• Outdoor locations are preferred to minimise the risk of spreading the disease. All interior locations must have good ventilation.
• Try to prepare as much as possible ahead of the shoot (e.g. set decorations, lighting) to avoid excess movement of a lot of people at once. 
• Avoid printouts (scripts, call-sheets, other documents). Maintain and distribute all production documentation digitally. 
• Consider remote shoot possibilities.
• Catering must follow reinforced hygiene measures. Whenever possible, food on set should be provided in individual containers. Maintain a 2-meter distance from one another during mealtimes.
• Follow the Health Board’s prognosis and the national regulations. 

European countries and film institutions are providing technical and organizational measures in order to help productions restart in safety during the global emergency. The guide is available here.

Stay safe and have solidarity in order to avoid contracting the virus and infecting others around you!

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us commissioner@filmi.ee

WHY ESTONIA?

In Estonia, personal space is a human right. An idea which might seem paradoxical when thinking about our small size. But here, there really is enough breathing room for social distancing to be the unspoken social etiquette followed in shared spaces, with or without the outbreak of the virus. The statistics back it up too, for one person, there is over 30 m2 of individual territory! 

Similarly, our film industry has managed to condense, proportionately to its small-scale, just the right amount of professionals, for it not to feel too cramped. We are resilient and resourceful both in normal and unusual circumstances and like the majority of our population, digitally-savvy and very comfortable working with technology. So, the current restrictive measures are not so confining after all, offering the ability to, despite the virus, make thingswork and keep the cameras rolling and focused to help bring your next film project to fruition. At the same time, of course, being mindful of the safety of everyone involved and maintaining plenty of personal space.

• Competent and experienced film crews who speak fluent English and are used to working efficiently in small teams
• World-renowned professionals with international experience 
• A large variety of unique locations. 
• Estonia is a small country, so there is a short distance between locations which gives an opportunity to film more in less time. 
• We offer a Cash rebate of up to 30% and Regional Funds (Tartu Film Fund, Viru Film Fund, Film Fund of Estonian Islands).
• Wide range of quality equipment available.
• Known for its advanced digital society. Less hassle, better time-management and proficient workflow.

2020

• On 12 March 2020, the Estonian government declared an emergency situation in Estonia until 17 May 2020. 
• Estonian production companies resumed shooting on the 3rd of June (national feature film “Kalev”). International production resumed on the 2nd of July (TV-drama series “Bad Apples”).
• The Government supported the proposal to free foreign visitors from movement restrictions for the annual Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival "PÖFF" if certain COVID-19 alleviation measures are followed.

2021

• The Government has exempted an annual international Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival "PÖFF" from any additional potential new Covid restrictions, citing the event's overriding societal and national interest.

Last updated 04.04.2022