Travellers entering from Russia and Belarus will be tested for Covid-19 at four border crossings

On Tuesday, 6 July, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the amendments to Cabinet Regulation No. 360 “Epidemiological safety measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 infection” (regulations) adopted on 9 June 2020, which envisage providing persons entering the Republic of Latvia crossing the external land border with an immediate opportunity to perform a Covid-19 test at four border crossing points - “Grebneva”, “Terehova”, “Pāternieki” and “Silene”.

The decision was made in view of the rapid spread of the new more contagious type of the Covid-19 virus (Delta).

Currently, the regulations stipulate that a person entering the Republic of Latvia from the respective country shall immediately, but no later than within 24 hours, perform the Covid-19 test at its own expense, determining the SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA at the nearest available testing point. At the border crossing points - “Grebneva”, “Terehova”, “Pāternieki” and “Silene”, incoming travellers will have to perform the test at their own expense.

Extensive testing is essential given the prevalence of the more contagious type of the Covid-19 virus (Delta). Persons who have taken the Covid-19 test at the border crossing point will also be expected to wait for the result in this area. Only after presenting the results of the Covid-19 test to the State Border Guard and after its permission, will persons be able to leave the territory of the border crossing point.

Tests will not be required for persons who can provide valid certification of Covid-19 vaccination, recovery, or a performed Covid-19 test, as well as children under the age of 12.

In the case that the Covid-19 test is positive or if the person refuses to take the test, the Emergency Medical Service will take the person to the tourist accommodation for mandatory isolation.

In cases where Covid-19 is diagnosed, for example to the driver of a lorry or passenger transport, it is the responsibility of the carrier concerned to ensure that the issues arising from the transport in question are addressed.

Given the time needed to set up test points at the relevant border crossing points, the rules are expected to enter into force on 12 July 2021.

The amendments also envisage reducing the amount of information to be provided in the personal surveillance information system covidpass.lv, and this depends on whether the person has to observe self-isolation after entry. In this way, only the minimum required amount of information is stored in the system.

The amendments determine the minimum amount of information to be provided - name, surname, personal identification number, date of birth, data of the travel document, proof of a valid vaccination or recovery certificate.

Persons to whom self-isolation conditions apply must additionally indicate information on the type and time of their entry into Latvia, the countries they visited and the person's contact details, including the address of residence in Latvia.