Government not planning to place Latvia on lockdown again - Pavluts

RIGA - The government is not planning to place Latvia on lockdown again, Health Minister Daniels Pavluts (For Development/For) told Latvian Television today.

As reported, starting from November 15, the strict lockdown regulations in Latvia have been lifted. Amendments adopted by the government provide that Latvia will return to the regulations that were in force from October 11 until October 20, and all person-in-person activities are held in the "green regime", except for essential services. The curfew regulations also are lifted.

In Pavluts' opinion, lockdown measures in Latvia have been effective - contacts between people have been reduced, and Latvia's Covid-19 incidence rate is no longer the highest in Europe. Most importantly, the number of Covid-19 patients in hospitals has decreased, even though the situation in hospitals still remains serious.

When asked under what conditions Latvia could be placed on lockdown again, Pavluts said that "everything is in our own hands", adding that he hoped there would be no need to reinstate harsh Covid-19 restrictions. He believes that, now that lockdown has been lifted, Covid-19 incidence may increase, but the increase will not be steep.

Furthermore, if the Covid-19 incidence continues to decline, the government could consider easing the current Covid-19 restrictions, said Karins.

Karins also urged residents to be responsible and avoid gatherings.