In accordance with the decision of the government, a total of up to 6,000 people will be allowed to participate in the 48th Tartu Marathon on 20 February, of whom up to 4,000 will participate in the 63 km distance and up to 2,000 in the 31 km distance. The special permit is granted taking into account the importance of the Tartu Marathon and the experience of the organiser, as well as the possibilities to disperse people on the long distances on the track and at the start and finish points. Persons over the age of 12 can participate in the marathon only if they have the COVID-19 certificate (except for children’s races). The organisers of the Tartu Marathon have submitted a risk management plan to the Health Board and discussed the safest possible ways for the event to take place. The organiser will publish more detailed information on the safety measures.
Pursuant to the decision of the government, the Basketball World Cup qualifier between the Estonian and Polish national teams on 25 February 2022 in Saku Suurhall may take place with up to 3,360 spectators. The level of the competition, the size of Saku Suurhall (over 6,000 spectators), the possibilities of dispersal, and the high capacity and experience of the Estonian Basketball Association in organising competitions were taken into account when granting the special permit.
In addition, the government authorised the organisers of the Otepää stage of the Biathlon World Cup to allow 6,000 spectators each day, 3,000 on the stands, and 3,000 on the track. The organiser must apply the additional restrictions on the number of spectators prescribed by the Health Board in the event of a rapid increase in hospitalisations. The Biathlon World Cup stage will take place in Otepää from 10 to 13 March.
The government also approved the fourth proposal of the Ministry of Culture, which means that the UEFA Nations League match between Estonia and Cyprus on 24 March 2022 can be attended by up to 5,000 people, up to 4,640 of whom are spectators. The stadium has a total of 14,336 seats, spectators are split between four different platforms, and their contact with players and game staff is limited. The match is organised in accordance with the government rules and the requirements of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). The importance of the competition and the possibilities of dispersing spectators were taken into account when granting the special permit.
The granting of a special permit requires the approval of the risk management plan with the Health Board and the permit of the local government. In addition to specific safety measures, all up-to-date COVID rules apply at each event: the requirement to present a COVID certificate and to wear a mask in the relevant areas, time limits, etc. In accordance with the current order of the government, sporting events can have up to 2,000 participants or spectators outdoors and up to 1,000 indoors.
