State of emergency declared in Latvia for period of three months

  • 2021-10-11
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - The state of emergency has been declared in Latvia for a period of three months, and a number of restrictions has come into force as of today.

People who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 or who have not recovered from the virus will henceforth only be allowed to shop in convenience stores. Also vaccinated people will have to wear masks and observe distance, including in the so-called "green zones".

Unvaccinated people will be able to shop in food stores, pharmacies, opticians, stores selling pet food, press, hygiene products, telecommunication products and fuel retail stations. These stores will have to ensure space of 25 square meters per customer.

Stores working in the "green mode" will have to ensure space of 15 square meters per customer.

Also, during weekends and holidays, only food stores, pharmacies, opticians, stores selling pet food, press, hygiene products, telecommunication products will be open. Such services ar shoes repair and drycleaning will be available.

At the same time, there is a call on all those who can, both in the public and private sectors, to work remotely.

Students will continue to study in person using face masks, but the amount of extracurricular activities will be significantly reduced. All teachers and students will be required to wear face masks in all classrooms. Pupils will be tested at least once a week. Out-of-school classes, such as excursions, museum visits, will not be organized during the state of emergency.

During the state of emergency, cultural events will be allowed to take place with a smaller audience or number of participants. Cultural events will be allowed to take place in the "green" mode with mandatory use of face masks and a limited number of visitors, or 60 percent of the capacity.