Covid-19 control measures

Last update 01.07.2020

Physical distancing and epidemiological safety measures:

- Ventilating rooms, observing hygiene, and using disinfectants with an alcohol content of at least 70%

- It is recommended to use mouth and nose coverings in places with many people, in places where it is not possible to keep a 2 metre distance, and on public transport

- 2 metre distance between persons

- Indoor events are limited to a maximum of 100 persons in premises smaller than 1000 m2 and a maximum of 500 persons in premises larger than 1000 m2, whereas outdoor events are limited to a maximum of 1000 persons

- In public places and at events, the availability of disinfectants for visitors and compliance with regulations must be ensured

Restriction Changes
 
Allowed
Allowed, on the condition that physical distancing and epidemiological safety measures are being followed
Forbidden

Health
Tested positive for Covid-19 - To be tested for Covid-19 for free by calling 8303 and applying in advance  

- To leave home
- To have guests and visit others
- To go to school or work on-site
- To use public transport services
Signs of an acute infectious respiratory disease     - To go to work, if this could put others at risk

Public transport
Using public transport  

- Nose and mouth coverings are recommended to be used (a self-made or purchased mask, scarf, shawl, and other solutions are accepted)
- Hygiene measures must be observed
- Instructions available on public transport must be observed
- Upon arrival in Latvia from countries where the number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants exceeds 16 (the list of countries is available on the SPKC website), public transport may only be used in order to get to the place of self-isolation, and a mouth and nose covering must be used.

 - Public transport must not be used by passengers who have tested positive for Covid-19 and by persons who have been in contact with a person infected with Covid-19

Education
Nursery schools - Nursery schools may return to full operation, subject to epidemiological safety requirements    
On-site studying   - On-site consultations may be provided for preparing students for the final examinations of secondary and secondary vocational education, as well as for 9th grade students  
Exams - Final exams will take place for 12th grade and vocational school students

- Latvian language exams for minority education programmes may be organised on-site
- On-site state examinations in higher education institutions may be organised if such cannot be done remotely

 - Exams for 9th grade students have been cancelled
Sports activities  

- Classes and trainings for groups of up to 30 persons may be organised, subject to no overlap between different training groups
- Indoor sports competitions may be organised for up to 100 persons without spectators in premises smaller than 1000 m2; outdoor - for up to 1000 persons, including spectators
- Indoor sporting events may take place with spectators if the total indoor area is at least 1000 m2
- Outdoor sporting events can take place at any time of the day

  
Interest-related education  

- Adult vocational education and interest-related education classes may be organised for up to 50 persons, subject to epidemiological safety requirements
- Indoor on-site interest-related education classes for children may be organised for up to 100 persons in premises smaller than 1000 m2 and for up to 500 persons in premises larger than 1000 m2, and outdoors, for up to 1000 persons - however, children flows must not overlap between consultations, exams, and other events in schools
- Epidemiological safety requirements and a distance of
2 metres must be observed, except for dance groups and choirs
- Children and youth camps for up to 30 participants with health certificates and permission to participate in the camp issued by a doctor may be organised, subject to epidemiological safety requirements. If the capacity of the site of the respective camp allows, the activities of several groups may take place at the same time

  
Graduations   - Schools may organise graduation events for up to 100 persons indoors in premises smaller than 1000 m2, for up to 500 persons in premises larger than 1000 m2, and for up to 1000 persons outdoors, subject to physical distancing and epidemiological safety requirements. The head of the educational institution is responsible for compliance with safety requirements  

Culture, entertainment, leisure
Working hours  

- Entertainment, cultural, sports, and other recreational places may be open from 6.30 to 24.00
- Open-air cinemas and public catering places must close no later than 2.00

 - Must be closed in the night, from 24.00 to 6.30
Operation of amateur art groups   - Organised activities of amateur art groups, such as choirs, dance groups, ensembles, and folk applied art groups, may take place in accordance with physical distancing and epidemiological safety measures  
Indoor events   - Events for up to 100 persons may be organised in premises smaller than 1000 m2 and for up to 500 persons in premises larger than 1000 m2, subject to physical distancing, safety measures, and the rules set by the organiser  
Outdoor events  

- Events for up to 1000 persons may be organised, subject to physical distancing and epidemiological safety measures
- Outdoor drive-in cinemas and concerts, during which the visitors stay in their cars, may be organised (regardless of the number of participants)
- Open-air cinemas and public catering places must close no later than 2.00

  
Church services and other religious activities  

- May be organised for up to 100 persons indoors in premises smaller than 1000 m2, for up to 500 persons in premises larger than 1000 m2, and for up to 1000 persons outdoors, subject to compliance with physical distancing and epidemiological safety requirements
- Places of religious activity may be open from 6.30 to 24.00

 - Places of religious activity must be closed from 24.00 to 6.30

Public catering places

   - May be open from 06.30 to 2.00.
- A distance of 2 metres between the tables and at least 3 m2 per visitor must be ensured		  
Sports  

- All kinds of sports classes and trainings may be organised
- During classes and trainings, an area of 4 m2 per person must be ensured, not exceeding 100 persons in indoor premises smaller than 1000 m2, 500 persons in premises larger than 1000 m2, and 1000 persons on outdoor premises
- No more than 30 persons can take part in one training group and training groups must not physically overlap, including in changing rooms and sanitary facilities
- Indoor sports competitions may be organised for up to 100 persons without spectators in premises smaller than 1000 m2 and for up to 500 persons without spectators in premises larger than 1000 m2; outdoors - for up to 1000 persons, including spectators
- Indoor sporting events may take place with spectators if the total indoor area is at least 1000 m2
- Outdoor sporting events can take place at any time of the day, subject to the 1000 person restriction

  
Swimming pools   - For active swimming, a water surface area of 12 m2 per person must be ensured, for recreation - 4 m2 per person  

Private events
Indoor gatherings    - Events may be organised for a maximum of 100 persons in premises smaller than 1000 m2 and for a maximum of 500 persons in premises larger than 1000 m2, ensuring an area of 4 m2 per visitor and observing a 2 metre distance as well as the epidemiological safety requirements  
Outdoor gatherings   - Events may be organised for a maximum of 1000 persons, ensuring an area of 4 m2 per visitor and observing a distance of 2 metres as well as the epidemiological safety requirements  
Weddings, baptisms, funerals   - May be organised for up to 100 persons indoors in premises smaller than 1000 m2, for up to 500 persons in premises larger than 1000 m2, and for up to 1000 persons outdoors, subject to observing a 2 metre distance and disinfection requirements  
Events at work     - The gathering of employees for other reasons than performing their duties must be restricted

Shopping
Shopping centres - All stores are also allowed to operate in shopping centres during weekends and holidays

- Signs with instructions on physical distancing and current safety measures must be displayed
The number of visitors must be limited at the location of sale

  

Trips abroad
Private trips

- It is allowed to travel abroad to and from countries where the number of Covid-19 infections does not exceed 25 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the course of the last two weeks (the list of countries is available on the SPKC website)
- Self-isolation is not required after arriving from countries where the number of Covid-19 infections does not exceed 16 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the course of the last two weeks (the list of countries is available on the SPKC website)

- The need for the trip must be carefully considered
- International passenger transport services are carried out through airports, ports, by bus, and by rail to and from countries with fewer than 25 new cases of Covid-19 infections per 100,000 inhabitants over the course of the last two weeks (the list of countries is available on the SPKC website)
- 14-day self-isolation must be observed after arriving in Latvia from countries with more than 16 new cases of Covid-19 infection per 100,000 inhabitants over the course of the last two weeks (the list of countries is available on the SPKC website)
- 14-day self-isolation must be observed after arriving in Latvia from a country to which international passenger transport services are not carried out


 		 - It is forbidden to travel to or from countries with more than 25 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 inhabitants over the course of the last two weeks (the list of countries is available on the SPKC website)
Business trips - Occasional passenger transport is allowed, when transit passengers are being transported and when the border of the Republic of Latvia is crossed.

- The need for the trip must be carefully considered
- International passenger transport services are carried out through airports, ports, by bus, and by rail to and from countries with fewer than 25 new cases of Covid-19 infections per 100,000 inhabitants over the course of the last two weeks (the list of countries is available on the SPKC website)
- Transport services are carried out for employees who are being transported on the basis of a list of employees submitted to the carrier by the employer
- Occasional passenger transport services that are specially organised to transport employees for work duties are being carried out
- 14-day self-isolation must be observed after arriving in Latvia from countries with more than 16 new cases of Covid-19 infections per 100,000 inhabitants over the course of the last two weeks (the list of countries is available on the SPKC website)




 		  

State and municipal services
The State and local governments   - Services are recommended to be given and received remotely  
Public participation   - Public participation meetings may be organised for up to 100 persons indoors in premises smaller than 1000 m2, for up to 500 persons in premises larger than 1000 m2, and for up to 1000 persons outdoors, subject to physical distancing and epidemiological safety measures  
Pickets, demonstrations, processions  

- On-site pickets, demonstrations, and processions may be organised for up to 100 persons indoors in premises smaller than 1000 m2, for up to 500 persons in premises larger than 1000 m2, and for up to 1000 persons outdoors, subject to physical distancing and epidemiological safety measures