Stricter safety measures will be put in place so that economy is less affected and schools can stay open longer - Pavluts

RIGA - In order to curb the rapid and uncontrolled spread of Covid-19 in the country, stricter safety measures will be put in place so that they have less impact on the economy and can keep schools open for as long as possible, Health Minister Daniels Pavluts (For Development) told TV3 this morning.

The Minister did not comment on the restrictions that could be introduced, as they will be discussed by experts at the Crisis Management Council today, but he added that, for example, decisions on schools could be made sooner, thus protecting students and teachers from getting infected.

"Following the council meeting, political consultations could take place to understand what steps could be taken to curb the rapid spread of the virus. I do not think there will be any problems with concrete decisions this time around, as the government coalition has shown awareness of the situation, as the infection rate, when the spread of the virus becomes uncontrollable, is faster than last winter," said the minister.

Pavluts also agreed that the further increase in the prevalence of Covid-19 was due to fears of a public reaction, so decisions on tougher measures from politicians were not followed, although the Ministry of Health and experts made predictions about the potential rapid spread of the disease, but there were not heard.

"It is important now to agree on stricter measures to stop infections and protect hospitals from the impending catastrophe, because in two weeks' time we could already reach the highest level of last winter, with more than 1,000 Covid-19 patients being treated in hospitals," said the minister.

As reported, considering the rapid spread of Covid-19 in Latvia, the government coalition considers declaring a state of emergency again, Pavluts told journalists following the weekly coalition meeting on Monday.

Latvia has already introduced a state of emergency over Covid-19 twice.

The government might decide on the proposal already this week, as it considers tougher restrictions, which the Crisis Management Council is scheduled to discuss Tuesday.