Businesses should not be so closed or significantly restricted under any Covid-19 infection levels - Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  • 2021-09-08
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - In Latvia, the economic activity of businesses must not be closed or significantly restricted under any Covid-19 infection levels, the president of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LTRK) Aigars Rostovskis said in an interview on Latvian Radio on Wednesday.

He pointed out that according to the majority of the LTRK Council, the economy and economic activity of companies should not be so closed or disproportionately restricted under any extent of Covid-19 prevalence, and it is critical to promote vaccination in the country and increase vaccination coverage so that the spread of Covid-19 causes the least possible damage to the economy and its recovery.

Rostovskis also mentioned that, according to the LTRK Council, Latvia needs regulations that would ensure flexibility for employers to organize employment in their businesses, including providing employers with the opportunity to transfer an employee to another position, suspend without retention, or dismiss if the employer determines that only persons with a Covid-19 vaccination certificate can perform the specific position within the company.

At the same time, according to the LTRK Council, the regulation on the processing and storage of personal data must be clear, one that does not create a significant administrative burden, as well as one that does not pose a penalty risk to the employer in the future and promotes an epidemiologically safe environment within the company.

"The biggest concern is that there will be some closures or major restrictions again. Many businesses simply won't be able to survive this," Rostovskis said.