PM Karins determined to propose broader crisis support for people and businesses

RIGA - Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) during a meeting with Bank of Latvia Governor Martins Kazaks on Wednesday vowed to propose more extensive support measures for people and businesses during the coronavirus crisis. 

LETA was told at the prime minister's office that the video call between Karins and Kazaks focused on crisis support to people and businesses. Both officials agreed on the necessity to work on extending and increasing the state support. 

The prime minister briefed the head of the Latvian central bank on the government's work, including containing the spread of Covid-19 and the crisis support measures. 

Since the Covid-19 pandemic is not subsiding and the virus keeps spreading, Karins voiced the resolve to propose more extensive support to people and businesses during the crisis, including the launch of a new support instrument proposed by the Economics Ministry - a rent subsidy for businesses. 

The prime minister indicated that vaccines against Covid-19 are a solution to the crisis and that making the vaccines available to all residents of Latvia as soon as possible is a national priority.

The Bank of Latvia governor said that the government has learned its lessons from the first Covid-19 wave and during the second wave has improved its support instruments. Kazaks said that this work has to continue to make sure the crisis relief reaches everyone in need. 

Kazaks also stressed that those countries that manage to curb the coronavirus more successfully will be in a better position to restart their economies, which is why it is essential to successfully contain the spread of Covid-19 and ensure public compliance with experts' advice. 

The Bank of Latvia governor also underlined the modernization opportunities provided by the European Recovery and Resilience Facility.