Covid-19 control measures

Last update 19.01.2022

This is a compilation of the most important information on safety measures in Latvia in order to stop the rapid spread of Covid-19, which critically affects the ability of the health care system to provide health services to every resident. Currently a decision has been made that the restrictions will apply until 28 February 2022.

The decisive action of every person is essential to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Everyone should carefully consider how to significantly reduce face-to-face contacts, comply with hygiene requirements and existing safety measures and restrictions. It is especially important for everyone to begin and complete vaccination against Covid-19.

For detailed information on safety measures and restrictions to reduce the incidence of Covid-19, please refer to the Cabinet of Ministers Order “Regarding the Declaration of Emergency Situation” and Cabinet Regulation No. 662 “Epidemiological Safety Measures for the Containment of the Spread of COVID-19 Infection”, as both regulations operate simultaneously. Please search for clarifying information on the websites of sector ministries.

Education
General safety measures	Every person: - observes general epidemiological safety requirements and security protocols or recommendations; - reduces one’s contacts, also requests others to follow safety protocols, maintains distance and avoids gatherings, wears face masks properly (medical masks or FFP2 respirators are recommended), ventilates rooms, disinfects hands and ensures the availability of disinfectants; - observes isolation, home quarantine and self-isolation provisions; - prevents the risk of infection to others.
Masks	From 25 January, the following must be used in the workplace, shop, public transport and other public places: - a medical mask, or - unvalved respirator (FPP2-FFP3, KN95). Medical masks or respirators should also be used by vaccinated or recovered persons. In educational institutions staff and pupils may continue using previously centrally distributed non-medical (fabric) face masks with a high degree of protection. Children between the ages of 7 and 12 may continue using a non-medical (fabric) mask in other places as well.
	Persons with vaccination and/or Covid-19 recovery certificate*	Persons without vaccination and/or Covid-19 recovery certificate
Work	- On-site work with the order of the employer to ensure the continuity of work if it cannot be performed remotely. - In person (in places where there is more than one person) everyone wears face masks properly. - General epidemiological safety measures are implemented on-site. - The employer may organise antigen testing for all employees working on-site: - in the event of a positive test, the employee is suspended from his/her duties, - employees who have worked in the same room during the last 3 days, performed work duties together, participated in face-to-face meetings with the infected person are considered as contact persons. - If the employer does not organise the testing of employees working on-site, when attending work on-site workers attest in written form that they do not have symptoms of a respiratory infectious disease, they are no under obligation to observe isolation, home quarantine and self-isolation provisions and there has been no known contact with a Covid-19 infected person during the last 10 days. - Employee working on-site is required to notify their employer immediately if infection with Covid-19 is detected in laboratory.	In the private sector: - From 15 December 2021, all employees working on-site (or outside their place of residence) must present a Covid-19 vaccination or recovery certificate. - The requirement for on-site workers to present a Covid-19 vaccination or recovery certificate will remain in place after the end of emergency situation until the end of the pandemic. In state, municipal institutions and state and municipal capital companies: - From 15 December 2021, all employees must present a Covid-19 vaccination or recovery certificate, regardless of how they perform their duties, remotely or on-site. - The requirement to present a Covid-19 vaccination or recovery certificate will remain in place after the end of emergency situation until the end of the pandemic. For everyone: - On site (in places where there is more than one person) everyone wears face masks properly; - General epidemiological safety measures are implemented. - The employer may organise antigen testing for all employees working on-site: - in the event of a positive test, the employee is suspended from his/her duties, - employees who have worked in the same room during the last 3 days, performed work duties together, participated in face-to-face meetings with the infected person are considered as contact persons. - If the employer does not organise the testing of employees working on-site, when attending work on-site workers attest in written form that they do not have symptoms of a respiratory infectious disease, they are no under obligation to observe isolation, home quarantine and self-isolation provisions and there has been no known contact with a Covid-19 infected person during the last 10 days. - Employee working on-site is required to notify their employer immediately if infection with Covid-19 is detected in laboratory.
Availability of health care services	Due to insufficient resources, mainly human resources, a state of emergency has been declared in medicine: - The State Emergency Medical Service carefully assesses which calls are more urgent. - The State Emergency Medical Service takes patients to the hospital where the patient can receive the necessary treatment; - In hospitals, priority is given to the treatment of urgent and acute patients as well as Covid-19 patients; - Planned health care services in hospitals are significantly limited; - Patients who received acute care in a higher-level hospital may be transferred to a lower-level hospital for further treatment.
Kindergartens	- Operate as usual, strictly subject to epidemiological safety requirements. - Combined groups from one kindergarten are allowed, ensuring as far as possible that members of the groups do not change. - Children in kindergarten are not tested and do not wear face masks, observe hand hygiene. - Employees wear face masks properly and implement general safety measures at all times.
Primary and secondary education	- The study process takes place in person, in strict compliance with general safety measures. - Students take a routine screening test. We also encourage children from the age of 12 to get vaccinated. - Pupils and staff use face masks properly during their stay in the educational establishment. - Non-overlapping of flows of different classes and groups is ensured (an exception may be when studying advanced courses at the secondary level). - The study process can be implemented on a rotating basis remotely no more than 5 working days per month for 7th to 12th grades to avoid overlapping flows between different classes. - The study process can be implemented remotely if at least 1/3 of the pupils in the respective class are in quarantine at home.
Colleges and universities	- The studies take place in person, in strict compliance with general safety requirements. - Vaccination/recovery certificates are checked. - Students and staff use face masks properly during their stay in the educational institution.	- The study process is organised remotely. - Persons whose vaccination has been postponed by a decision of the council continue the study process remotely until obtaining a vaccination certificate.
Interest education	All students who have a vaccination or recovery certificate or a negative routine screening test performed at school participate: - in their class/group at their school, - individually (or children from one household), - outside their school, indoors in a group of up to 20 participants, - outdoors in a group of up to 20 participants. At the kindergarten level, children are not tested and they can participate in classes in person outside their kindergarten: - the number of children in one group does not exceed 20; - if the kindergarten children are together with the primary school students in the class, the children of the kindergarten take a self-test. General safety requirements: - classes are organised by prior appointment, - at least 3 m² per room is provided for each child, - the premises are ventilated, aired, - the number of children in one group does not exceed 20 (except in their own class/course), - if adequate ventilation of the premises is not provided, the number of children in a group does not exceed 10. Indoors, everyone uses face masks properly. Masks are not used by children under 7 years of age; other age groups do not use masks: - during physical activities and sports training, - in the process of playing musical instruments, vocal art and dance.
Sports
Training	- The vaccination/recovery certificate or negative Covid-19 test performed as part of the school’s routine screening of participants is checked. - Not less than 15 m² available training space is provided per visitor, 2 m distance. - Up to 20 participants in a group both indoors and outdoors. - Training group flows do not overlap. - Occupancy in changing rooms does not exceed 25%.	- Individually outside without a coach.
Trade
	Persons with vaccination and/or Covid-19 recovery certificate*	Persons without vaccination and/or Covid-19 recovery certificate
Stores, incl. in the shopping centres, street sales points, distance sales	- All points of sale are available. - A vaccination/recovery certificate must be presented at the points of sale that can only be visited by vaccinated/recovered persons. - A vaccination/recovery certificate must be presented at the points of sale that can only be visited by vaccinated/recovered persons, ensuring 15 m² per one visitor in the premises. - Proper use of face masks must be ensured at all points of sale. - The number of visitors at the point of sale is regulated by the number of shopping carts, trolleys, bags, etc. - Ventilation of the premises, availability of disinfectants, observance of other safety measures is ensured. - Everyone should wear face masks properly, also in street points of sale. - The person responsible for implementing epidemiological safety measures is identified at the point of sale. - Opening hours from 6:00 to 23:00. - The opening hours limitation does not apply to the points of sale for basic necessities.	- The following points of sale are available on the premises (with a separate entrance from the outside and an area available to visitors not exceeding 1500 m²): - grocery stores (with food, hygiene products, animal feed, press being 70% of the assortment); - pharmacies (including veterinary); - medical product stores (with medical products being 90% of the assortment); - opticians; - pet food stores; - press outlets; - hygiene goods stores (with hygiene items being 70% of the assortment); - fuel stations; - registered ticket offices at bus and train stations. - Sales representatives and customers use face masks properly. - Not less than 25 m² of the retail space per customer. - In pharmacies where the vaccination against Covid-19 takes place or the testing certificates are issued, not less than 15 m² per customer. - The number of visitors is regulated by the number of shopping carts, trolleys, bags, etc. - Issue of remotely purchased goods is organised in a separate flow from vaccinated/recovered customers or outdoors. - Outdoor markets and permanent outdoor points of sale are available. - Everyone should wear face masks properly in outdoor sales. - The person responsible for implementing epidemiological safety measures is identified at every point of sale. - The opening hours limitation does not apply to the points of sale for basic necessities.
Shopping centres	- The person responsible for implementing epidemiological safety measures is identified. - The maximum number of visitors is not exceeded - it is determined as not larger than the total number of visitors allowed in individual service provision places and points of sales. - Information on the total maximum number of visitors and the contact details of the person responsible for epidemiological safety must be placed. - Electronic shopping flow monitoring equipment must be installed in shopping centres with a total sales area of more than 7 000 m². - Flow of vaccinated/recovered visitors must be separated from non-vaccinated/non-recovered visitors.
Services
	Persons with vaccination and/or Covid-19 recovery certificate*	Persons without vaccination and/or Covid-19 recovery certificate
General principles	- The service provider checks the certificate of the vaccinated/recovered person. - At least 15 m² of the public space must be provided per one visitor. - Everyone uses a face mask properly, observes other safety requirements. - The distance between several service points in the same room is at least 3 meters. - A distance of at least 2 m between individuals or households must be provided. - Services can be provided from 6:00 to 23:00. - There is no limit on working hours for essential goods and catering takeaway services.	- A vaccinated/recovered person may provide to the unvaccinated/non-recovered client: - services on-site if they cannot be provided remotely and, if the service is not provided ,it endangers ensuring of the fundamental human rights or maintaining public security; - help in psychological support groups; - public transport and international transport services, including international passenger services, and related services; - commercial transport by taxi and car; - postal services; - takeaway and food delivery,; - financial and insurance services (banking, consumer lending, insurance, currency exchange); - emergency response and emergency utilities; - repair and maintenance service; - telecommunications services (including telecommunications goods purchased together with the service); - veterinary services. - Accommodation services and the making of photos for documents are also available individually or for one household. - At least 15 m² per person of the public space (excluding public transport, international passenger transport, commercial transport and accommodation). - It is strongly recommended to provide the services by prior appointment. - Everyone uses face masks properly, observes other safety requirements.
Entertainment, attractions	- It is forbidden to provide in person economic services related to entertainment, gambling, betting and attractions (including in nightclubs, water parks, entertainment and amusement centres, trampoline parks).
Catering	- Vaccination/recovery certificate of the visitors is checked both indoors and outdoors. - Public catering places can be open from 6:00 to 23:00. - Delivery of food for take away is without a time limit. - Indoors and outside, no more than 4 adults with minors - not more than 10 persons in total may be present at one table. - There must be a distance of at least 2 m indoors and outside between people sitting at different tables, if there are no partition walls between the tables. - Employees and visitors wear face masks properly, except for when visitors are sitting at a table.	- Meals for takeaway or with delivery can be purchased. - To receive meals for take-away indoors, at least 15 m² per person must be provided. - All persons must maintain distance and wear face masks properly. - The restrictions on working hours do not apply to take-away catering.
Public transport	- The use of FFP2 respirators is strongly recommended in public transport. - Municipality and public transport service providers receiving grants from municipalities do not apply fare reductions to adults without vaccination or recovery certificate. - Municipalities can decide on the introduction of fare reductions or the reimbursement of actual fares for pupils of general and vocational education institutions. - State set fare reductions continue to be available to all passengers on regional buses and trains. Fare reductions for persons with disabilities of groups I and II and their companions in public transport organized by the state city remain unchanged. - Passengers and the driver must wear a face mask properly throughout the journey. - The capacity of the public transport is 80% (85% if is required to pick up passengers at stops outside the regional importance routes). - Observe general safety provisions and regularly ventilate the vehicle.
Culture
	Persons with vaccination and/or Covid-19 recovery certificate*	Persons without vaccination and/or Covid-19 recovery certificate
Cultural sites	- Vaccination/recovery certificate of the visitors is checked: - Children under 12 do not need to present the certificate; - Children from the age of 12 must present a certificate of vaccination, recovery or testing, or a laboratory certificate of a negative screening test performed within the last 72 hours. - Everyone wears face masks properly. - Start working no earlier than 6:00 and close no later than 23:00. - Observe a mutual distance of 2 m. - Implements general safety measures.	- Libraries provide, where possible, a contactless book exchange service for all users (even without a vaccination/recovery certificate). - If the library cannot provide contactless book exchange, it may provide book exchange services to visitors without a vaccination/recovery certificate if: - the service is provided individually or to 1 household, - there are no other persons on the premises at the same time, - the librarian has a vaccination/recovery certificate, - the visit is organised by prior arrangement, at least 15 m² per person in the room is provided, - everyone uses a face mask properly and implements other general safety precautions. - Other on-site services of cultural venues are not available.
Cultural events	- Ticket personalisation; - Personalized seating; - Vaccination/recovery certificate of the visitors is checked; - Children under 12 do not need to present the certificate; - Children from the age of 12 must present a certificate of vaccination, recovery or testing, or a laboratory certificate of a negative screening test performed within the last 72 hours. - Maximum number of visitors 500; - Seats for 2 persons next to each other from different households or representatives of one household (up to 10 people, including up to 4 adults and up to 6 children); - 2 seats distance or safety barrier; - Seats in rows are arranged alternately; - Visitors properly use face masks in the seats; - Crowding is not allowed outside the seats, a distance of 2 m must be observed; - General safety measures are implemented.	- Can't attend.
Operation of amateur art groups	- Vaccination/recovery certificates of the participants are checked. - Not less than 15 m² of available rehearsing space is provided per visitor, 2 m distance (except during dance classes). - Up to 20 participants in a group both indoors and outdoors. - Training group flows do not overlap. - Occupancy in changing rooms does not exceed 25%.	- Can only be organized remotely.
Gatherings
Private events, meetings, processions, pickets	- Up to 10 people indoors. - Up to 20 people outdoors.
Services, religious activities	- Operation shall start no earlier than 6:00 and end no later than 23:00. - Everyone uses face masks properly. - At least 15 m² per person if visitors stand in the designated individual standing areas. - Seats for 2 persons next to each other from different households or representatives of one household (up to 10 people, including up to 4 adults and up to 6 children). - Distance between each 2 persons or a household sitting next to each other - two seats. - The seats are arranged alternately in rows. - General safety measures are implemented. - Services are only available to persons with a vaccination/recovery certificate.	- Up to 10 visitors at the same time, when there is no gathering (services) for vaccinated/recovered persons. - At least 15 m² must be provided per visitor. - Visitors use FFP2 respirators; the religious organization provides an FFP2 respirator for each visitor.
Trips abroad
	From 1 February 2022, for travelling within the European Union a valid vaccination certificate will be required stating that no more than 270 days have passed since the last dose of the vaccine.
Travelling to other countries	- We invite you to be aware of the risks associated with going abroad in a pandemic situation. - We invite you not to visit high-risk or very high-risk countries and carefully consider the need for travelling abroad. - You can find more information on going abroad and entering Latvia during the pandemic on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
	Persons with vaccination and/or Covid-19 recovery certificate*	Persons without vaccination and/or Covid-19 recovery certificate
Entering Latvia	- Confirmation form covidpass.lv must be completed - The Covid-19 test is not required; exception - when returning from very high-risk countries. - Self-isolation is not required, exception - when returning from very high-risk countries.	- Confirmation form covidpass.lv must be completed - When arriving in Latvia from low-risk countries, a test must be performed before starting the trip, self-isolation does not have to be observed. - When arriving from high-risk countries, a test must be performed before entering Latvia, as well as self-isolation must be observed upon arrival. - When arriving from high-risk third countries, a test must be performed before and after entering Latvia, as well as self-isolation must be observed. In this case, an important reason for entering Latvia is required.
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.

* Who is considered a vaccinated person?

A person who has received a full vaccination course with any vaccine registered by the European Medicines Agency or an equivalent vaccine registered by a regulator or recognised by the World Health Organisation and 14 days have passed since the completion of vaccination course.
A person who has received mixed doses and 14 days have passed since the completion of vaccination course.
A person who has had a laboratory-confirmed positive Covid-19 test + has received 1 dose of the vaccine and 14 days have passed since the vaccination. Depending on the person's health condition, it is also possible to be vaccinated with 2 doses of the vaccine. Digital certificate - on the 15th day after 1 dose.

Vaccination certificate for persons recovered from Covid-19

Persons who have recovered from Covid-19 can receive a vaccination certificate:

if after the infection confirmed by a positive PCR test result, they have received 1 of any of the 4 vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (Comirnaty (Pfizer-Biontech), Spikevax (Moderna), Janssen or Vaxzveria (AstraZeneca))
and 14 days have passed since the vaccination, excluding the day of vaccination.