Latvia: Authorities order state of emergency from Oct. 11 amid uptick in COVID-19 cases

Latvia tightens domestic COVID-19-related controls with Oct. 11-Jan. 11 state of emergency; entry rules appear unchanged as of Oct. 10.

Event

Authorities in Latvia have announced that a three-month state of emergency will take effect from Oct. 11 due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. The emergency measures include limits on business hours and require employees to work remotely where possible. International entry restrictions remain unchanged as of Oct. 10.

Domestic Restrictions
Authorities had already ordered the use of a digital certificate, which proves an individual has been vaccinated against, recovered from, or recently tested negative for COVID-19, to access nonessential indoor services from Oct. 11. However, the state of emergency in effect Oct. 11-Jan. 11 will impose more stringent domestic controls, including the following:

Face masks are mandatory in public for everyone.
Stores and markets must close by 21:00 daily.
Public events will be limited to those with digital certificates. Authorities will also restrict the number of unvaccinated people able to attend private gatherings.
All public and private sector employees who can work remotely are required to do so. Unvaccinated workers can only work on-site if they have a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours.
All public sector workers must receive a COVID-19 vaccine by Nov. 15. Authorities reportedly plan to extend the vaccination requirement to the private sector but have not yet provided further details.

For full details on the state of emergency and related restrictions, click here.

Travel Restrictions
Authorities designate countries as low, high, or very high risk based on local disease activity and immunization rates. Travelers with a certificate of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 can enter from low- and high-risk countries without additional requirements. All arrivals must complete an online form within 48 hours before arrival, available by clicking here.

Travelers without a certificate of vaccination or recovery entering from low- and high-risk countries within the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or the UK must possess a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken in the previous 72 hours or an antigen test taken in the previous 48 hours. Individuals unable to meet this requirement must be tested within 24 hours of arrival. Travelers from designated high-risk countries must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival; isolation can be ended following a negative COVID-19 test result no less than seven days after arrival.

Travelers without a certificate of vaccination or recovery from high-risk countries outside the EU, EA, Switzerland, or the UK must have an essential reason for entering Latvia, possess a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken in the previous 72 hours or an antigen test taken in the previous 48 hours, submit to a test on arrival, and self-isolate for 10 days. Isolation can be ended following a negative COVID-19 test result no less than seven days after arrival.

All travelers from very high-risk countries must have an essential reason for entering Latvia, possess a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken in the previous 72 hours or an antigen test taken in the previous 48 hours, submit to a test on arrival, and self-isolate for 10 days. Isolation can be ended following a negative COVID-19 test result no less than seven days after arrival. Currently, no countries are designated as very high-risk.

For a full list of country risk categories regularly updated, click here.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they could prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.