Latvia: Authorities to tighten domestic COVID-19 further from Oct. 21 /update 29

Event

Authorities plan to tighten domestic COVID-19 restrictions from Oct. 21 in reaction to rising case numbers. The following additional restrictions will apply until at least Nov. 15:

A curfew will be in effect between 20:00-05:00; people will only be allowed outside for essential purposes.
All nonessential stores and services will close.
All public gatherings will be prohibited.
Only staff employed in essential services will be permitted to attend their place of work.

Officials previously announced a three-month state of emergency until Jan. 11 due to the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases. Related measures already include limits on business hours and require employees to work remotely where possible. 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. However, the state of emergency imposes more stringent domestic controls, including the following:

Facemasks are mandatory in public.
Stores and markets must close by 21:00 daily.
Public events are only accessible for those with digital certificates. Authorities also restrict the number of unvaccinated people able to attend private gatherings.
All public and private sector employees who can work remotely must 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
International entry restrictions remain unchanged as of Oct. 19. Based on local disease activity and immunization rates, authorities designate countries as low, high, or very high risk. 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 ten 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 ten 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 ten days. Isolation can be ended following a negative COVID-19 test result no less than seven days after arrival.

For a complete 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.