People arriving in Latvia will have to present negative Covid-19 test after January 15

RIGA - People arriving in Latvia will have to present a negative Covid-19 test starting from January 15, Transport Minister Talis Linkaits (New Conservative Party) said in a Twitter post.

The test has to be taken in the past 72 hours.

LETA learned from the Transport Ministry that the regulations will come into force along with similar regulations in Lithuania and Estonia.

The additional measures aim to protect the country from influx of the virus and urge residents to travel only for significant family of work reasons.

A document proving a negative Covid-19 test, doctor's note or note about antibodies or another medical document, proving that the person is not infectious will have to be presented to the company providing passenger transportation services.

When arriving in Latvia by car, there should be a note on the negative test in the Covidpass.lv. 

There are also exceptions, when the negative tests are not required - children up to the age of 11, people who are vaccinated against Covid-19, employees and crew members of the transportation companies, transit passengers who do not leave the airport during transit, representatives of the diplomatic corps.

Negative tests will not be required for people living in the border areas who have to cross the border due to work, education or similar needs and can prove it with a document.

The self-isolation requirement for people arriving from countries with high Covid-19 incidence remains in force.

Linkaits said that the negative test will have to be presented by all people arriving in Latvia, including Latvian residents returning home.