Covid-19 control measures

Safe and healthy living conditions

Measures applying to all people

Persons vaccinated and/or recovered from Covid-19*

Face mask

- A face mask must be used by everyone from the age of 7 in premises outside their household whenever there is more than one person in the room.
- A homemade mask should be made of at least three layers of suitable material (cotton, nylon, etc.) and have ties to secure it behind the ears or behind the head.
- The organiser of the event or the service provider must not allow people into the premises who do not fulfil the obligation of using a face mask or who wear it incorrectly (the face mask must cover the mouth and nose).
- Wearing a face mask is not obligatory for children under 7 years of age or for people who have difficulty wearing a mask due to medical reasons, for example, due to functional impairments.
- Face shields may only be used together with a mask.
- A face mask must be worn in places with a high traffic of people, such as points of sales and public transport 
- A face mask must be worn in public catering places outdoors when not being at a table
including outdoor terraces

 

- The face mask may not be used indoors, outdoors, in private or public events where vaccinated people or people recovered from Covid-19 gather. 
- Mouth and nose coverings still must be worn in public transport.

- Face masks should be used in rooms where vaccinated, Covid-19 recovered or tested individuals gather.

Work

- It is advisable that only employees whose duties cannot be performed remotely due to the nature of their work are allowed to work on site.
- If, due to the nature of the work, employees must work on site, the employer is obliged to:
 - Arrange measures for limiting the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace;
 - Appoint a responsible person for the implementation of these measures;
 - Provide employees with the necessary personal protective equipment;
 - Inform employees about the measures implemented in the workplace to control the spread of Covid-19.

- It is allowed to gather in organized groups and to not use a mouth and nose covering even if there is a person in the room without a Covid-19 certificate.
- Fully vaccinated persons may not be subject to routine screening tests for performing work duties (for example, teachers, doctors, and social care centre staff);

- There are currently no individual benefits for the target groups - that includes vaccinated persons, persons recovered from Covid-19 as well as tested persons - so general epidemiological conditions that apply to the whole population must be met.

Education

Kindergartens

- Once a week all employees of the kindergarten must take a Covid-19 test.
- Kindergarten staff uses properly worn face masks.
- Kindergartens operate subject to epidemiological health and safety requirements.
- In June, July, and August the activities of joint groups (temporary groups) are allowed:
 - For up to 24 children from one kindergarten or municipality; 
 - If the composition of the group does not change for at least a month.
 

- Fully vaccinated kindergarten staff do not need to take the Covid-19 test once a week.

Children’s camps

 - It is allowed to organize children's on-site camps in groups of up to 30 participants, observing epidemiological requirements, including Covid-19 testing for both camp participants and staff.
- Both children and staff must get tested before the camp, not earlier than 48 hours before the planned start of the camp.
- If the camp lasts longer than a week, everyone should have a Covid-19 test at least once a week.

- Fully vaccinated camp workers and participants will not be required to take the Covid-19 test.

-It is allowed to organize interest education and vocational education programs and work with youth indoors:
- Up to 30 persons indoors;
- Up to 50 persons outdoors. It is allowed to organize sports trainings (classes) for students of interest education and vocational education programs indoors:
  - Up to 20 students may gather at the same time in one training group, 
  - The training process is carried out by means of weekly testing of students and employees (testing of students may be omitted if the number of participants in the group is not more than 5),
  - The time of class cannot exceed 90 minutes,
  - It is forbidden to use changing rooms, other than in public swimming pools if the occupancy in the changing rooms does not exceed 25%
  - it is forbidden to involve students under the age of 5 in the activity, except in the swimming training program,
  - it is forbidden to attend classes if the student has acute health problems or signs of respiratory infectious disease, or if the requirements for isolation, home quarantine and self-isolation must be met,
  - At least 25 m² of the area of the premises of the sports venue available to visitors (in the public swimming pool - 15 m² of the water surface area) must be provided,
  - The occupancy of the room in which the training process takes place must not exceed 20% of the maximum possible number of people.**

Adult education

- In higher, vocational and adult education, classes can be organized in person;
- Up to 30 persons indoors;
- Up to 50 persons outdoors;
- Weekly testing of Covid-19 virus is organized;
- Participants use a mouth and nose covering;
- Each participant must be provided with at least 3 m² of space;
- Rooms must be ventilated regularly;
- The educational institution must ensure that the flows do not overlap.

- Persons who have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 may participate in adult vocational training programmes held on site with up to 30 persons in a group, without the need to wear masks, observe physical distancing, required space per person etc.; however, ventilation of the premises remains obligatory.
These conditions apply if there are no persons in the room who cannot prove the fact of vaccination or recovery.

- If there are also persons in the room who cannot prove the fact of vaccination or recovery, vaccinated and recovered persons may not comply with the request to wear masks, but other requirements must be observed: required space, ventilation, etc.

Sports

Sports training

-  Sports training in groups is allowed outdoors for up to 20 people without the use of changing rooms. 
- Outdoor sports training and classes may start no earlier than at 6:00 and take place until 24:00.

- Sports training sessions for national team athletes, international and higher league athletes of team sports take place without additional restrictions.

- Indoor and outdoor sports training sessions (both individual and group), including for amateur sports teams, as well as in public swimming pools, may take place without additional conditions if persons have been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 (ensuring that staff also meet these requirements).

- There must be no persons in the room who are not known to have been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19.
 

Competition

- Competitions and training sessions (including indoors) for athletes over 10 years of age included in the calendar of competitions of international sports federations may take place, subject to all epidemiological requirements and conditions.
- Competitions for higher leagues may take place (also indoors).
- Sports competitions of international and higher leagues of team sports may take place, providing that they award a title of Latvian champion in the adult category.
- Outdoor sports competitions organized by sports federations or their legal members recognized in accordance with the procedures specified in the Sports Law are allowed. The organizers of the competition must follow the established epidemiological safety measures (including the number of people in the competition at the same time not exceeding 500).

- Indoor and outdoor sports competitions can be observed in person.

Trade

Shops

Both visitors and staff must wear face masks at shops.
- Signs with instructions regarding physical distancing and current safety measures must be displayed.
- The number of people in retail premises including indoor markets must be limited to provide an area of at least 15 m² per person.
- Points of sale and markets must be visited individually, except for persons accompanying their children under the age of 12 or those who require the help of an assistant/carer.
- The (documented) development of an internal control system for the implementation of epidemiological safety measures must be ensured at all shops.
- A responsible person must be designated to organize compliance with the requirements at the point of sale on an continuous and ongoing basis.
- Arranging and advertising special offers applicable for less than seven days that could motivate people to immediately visit and stay at the point of sale for longer periods are not permitted.
- An invitation for visitors to use the national contact tracing and alerting mobile app "Apturi Covid" must be placed in a clearly visible place (in addition to other information about precautionary measures).

Shopping centres

- Shopping centres operate according to the same epidemiological safety requirements as shops. 
- Electronic equipment for monitoring the flow of shoppers must be installed in shopping centres with a total area of more than 7000 m² .

Markets

- The number of people in indoor markets must be limited so as to provide an area of at least 15 m² per person.
- In outdoor areas of the market, a distance of at least 2 m between points of sale must be ensured.
- Merchants and visitors must wear face masks; customers without face masks shall be denied service.
- Face masks are not required in outdoor areas of markets
- Everyone observes general epidemiological safety requirements in accordance within the established health and safety protocols.

Street trade

- The maximum number of merchants selling goods in an administrative territory is determined by the municipality. 
- No entertainment events are organized (e.g. themed festivals, amusement park rides).
- The territory in which goods are offered for sale is zoned off.
- Everyone observes general epidemiological safety requirements.

Services

Catering

-Outside, no more than 20 persons, excluding minors, (but not more than 30 persons in total) may be present at one table.**

- Catering is allowed from 6.00 to 24.00 but only outdoors or take-away.
- No more than four adults, excluding minors, from no more than two households (i.e. adults and children) are present at the same table outdoors. And the total number of people at a single table may not exceed ten persons.
- If there are no partition between the tables, there must be a distance of at least 2 m between the people sitting at different tables.
- Staff and visitors must use mouth and nose coverings during their stay, except while seated at a table.
- Tables must be disinfected after every meal (after every visitor).
- Cutlery, sets of dishes, and napkins must be individually issued to every visitor.
- There must be a designated person who organises and manages the implementation of the established epidemiological safety measures.
- Clearly legible publicly available information, including in English, must be displayed in places visible to visitors, on the maximum number of persons and with contact details of the designated person and the direct phone number 110 of the police service.
- Provision of catering services in enclosed spaces such as pavilions and tents are not permitted.

- It is allowed to provide services to vaccinated/recovered from Covid-19 persons and to persons with a negative Covid-19 test, as well as to children under the age of 12.
- Indoor catering services may be provided, subject to epidemiological safety requirements:
 - no more than 10 adults, excluding minors, (but not more than 20 persons in total) may be present at one table**;
- a distance of at least 2 metres is ensured between persons sitting at different tables;
- staff and visitors must use mouth and nose coverings during their time at the public catering establishment, except for when visitors are sitting at a table.
- Outside, no more than 20 adults, excluding minors, (but not more than 30 persons in total) may be present at one table.**
- Tables must be disinfected after every meal (after every visitor).
- Cutlery, sets of dishes, and napkins must be individually issued to every visitor.
- There must be a designated person who organises and manages the implementation of the established epidemiological safety measures.
- Clearly legible publicly available information, including in foreign languages, must be displayed in places visible to visitors on the maximum number of persons and with contact details of the designated person and the municipal police.
- Provision of catering services in enclosed spaces such as pavilions and tents are not permitted.

Beauty care

- A vaccinated service provider may provide the service to any person, including a person who is unable to present an interoperable certificate, ensuring that the service is provided individually (in a separate room).
- At the place of providing beauty and wellness services, the area must be 10 m² per person.

- A service provider vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 may provide beauty services to a client who has been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 without restriction.
- At the place of providing beauty and wellness services, the area must be 10 m² per person.

- All recipients must certify that they have been vaccinated, recovered or tested.
- At the place of providing beauty and wellness services, the area must be 10 m² per person.
- The provision of beauty and personalized wellness services must be subject to enhanced security measures.

Other commercial services

- Subject to enhanced safety measures, the provision of individual photographic services outdoors is permitted.
- It is allowed to provide individual economic services related to outdoor attractions, incl. water parks, entertainment and
amusement centres, trampoline parks. 

- Subject to enhanced safety measures, the provision of individual services is permitted.
- Subject to enhanced security measures, it is permitted to provide indoor sports equipment rental services and photo services per household.
- Vaccinated persons and/or persons recovered from Covid-19 are allowed to be at the premises/facilities of one and the same social service provider, providing and receiving social services, without wearing face masks and without observing a distance of 2 metres.

State and municipal services

-  It is recommended that such services to be provided and received remotely.

- Vaccinated persons and/or persons recovered from Covid-19 are allowed to be at the premises/facilities of one and the same social service provider, providing and receiving social services, without wearing face masks and without observing a distance of 2 metres.

Public transport

- The need for a trip on public transport must be carefully considered.
- A face mask must be worn by the driver and by all passengers, incl. children from 7 years of age.
- Regular disinfection and ventilation of vehicles must be ensured.
- Hygiene measures must be observed.
- All instructions of the carrier in public transport must be observed on public transport, incl.the indications not to occupy seats that have been marked.
- Public transport must not be used by passengers who have tested positive for Covid-19 and by persons who have been exposed to someone infected with Covid-19.
- The number of passengers in a public transport vehicle must not exceed 65% of its capacity.
- Outside the destinations of regional traffic routes, the number of passengers in a vehicle may not exceed 75% of its capacity.
- Public transport must not be used by persons who have tested positive for Covid-19.

Culture

Cultural sites

- Archives, libraries, museums and places with art and history exhibitions and other cultural places will gradually resume work as soon as the site is prepared for opening for work, subject to epidemiological safety requirements:
 - One-way visitor flow must be ensured at cultural sites;
 - 10 m² per visitor or members of one household;
 - Regular ventilation of the premises must be ensured;
 - Preparation of epidemiological safety rules and appointment of a person responsible for their observance;
- in outdoor areas, a distance of 2 meters must be observed.

- It is allowed to go to the cinema, theatre performances, concerts, and clubs, participate in guided museum group tours and amateur group rehearsals within one group, as well as receive other similar services without having to wear nose and mouth coverings or observe a 2-metre distance from others.

Operation of amateur art groups

- Indoors, permanent amateur art classes are allowed in groups of up to 30 people, providing not less than 3 m² per person.

- Rehearsals of permanent amateur art groups may be held indoors, without observing a distance of 2 metres and without the use of face masks if participants have been vaccinated and/or have recovered from Covid-19.
- Amateur art groups can participate in events, regardless of distance and without wearing face masks, if the participants have been vaccinated and/or have recovered from Covid-19.
- When staying in common areas, a distance of 2 metres must be observed and face masks must be worn.

Gatherings, Events

Pickets, demonstrations, processions

- Outdoor marches and pickets may be organised for up to 50 people, but they are subject to epidemiological safety measures.

Private events

- Outdoor marches and pickets may be organised for up to 50 people, subject to epidemiological safety measures.
- It is allowed to gather indoors for up to 20 people, outdoors for up to 50 people, not following the household principle.

- There are no restrictions on the number of participants/visitors.

Public events

- Public events are not allowed.

- There are no restrictions on the number of participants/visitors.

Services, religious activities

- Places of religious activity may be open from not earlier than 6.00 and end work no later than 24:00.
- In the places of indoor religious activity visitors shall wear mouth and nose covering. 
- At least 10 m² of the publicly available area of premises are provided per visitor. If everyone is immunized, a distance of 2 m is enough.
- Information is publicly available at the entrance for visitors, including in English, regarding the maximum number of people who may be located in the place of worship at the same time
- Choir singing at a place of religious activity is allowed outdoors.
- Sunday schools are allowed in person subject to strict safety measures.
 

Baptism

- Outdoor marches and pickets may be organised for up to 50 people, subject to epidemiological safety measures.
- It is allowed to gather indoors for up to 20 people, outdoors for up to 50 people, not following the household principle.

Marriages

- Outdoor marches and pickets may be organised for up to 50 people, subject to epidemiological safety measures.
- It is allowed to gather indoors for up to 20 people, outdoors for up to 50 people, not following the household principle.

- There are no restrictions on the number of participants/visitors.
- During the wedding ceremony, these persons may not wear a mouth and nose covering and may not observe a distance of 2 metres both indoors and outdoors.
 

- It is allowed to gather indoors for up to 500 people, outdoors for up to 1000 people.
-All persons present must wear a mouth and nose covering during the wedding ceremony and maintain a distance of 2 metres.
- Indoors, all persons present must wear a mouth and nose covering during the wedding ceremony and maintain a distance of 2 metres.
- The mouth and nose covering should not be used outdoors

Funeral

- People from different households can take part in the funeral ceremony.
- At least 4m² must be ensured per person indoors.
- Sufficient space must be provided outdoors for maintaining a distance of 2 m.

Trips abroad

Entering Latvia

- Self-isolation must be observed when returning to Latvia.
- A test must be taken when returning to Latvia from high-risk and very high-risk countries.
- The Covid-19 test does not need to be taken when returning from the EU, the EEA, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and low-risk third countries.

- The Covid-19 test is not required except when returning from high risk countries.
- Self-isolation is not required, except when returning from high-risk countries.

Transit through Latvia

- Persons transiting through Latvia will have to cross the country within 12 hours of submitting the arrival confirmation form on the covidpass.lv website.