Author: Ilze Salna
Source: Sam.gov.lv
From Wednesday, June 16, the ban on non-essential travel, the requirement to pass the COVID-19 test and self-isolate when entering Latvia will be lifted if an individual can present a digital COVID-19 certificate confirming the completion of vaccination or recovery from the disease.
Today, June 15, the government approved the amendments to Cabinet Regulation No 360 “Epidemiological safety measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 infection” proposed by the Ministry of Transport, which revokes a number of requirements for entry into Latvia if an individual can prove by means of a digital certificate that he or she is vaccinated against COVID-19 or has recovered from the disease during the last six months.
Reklāma
With the increase in vaccination coverage and the decrease in the incidence of COVID-19, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to revoke those epidemiological safety requirements that do not apply to fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19.
“I am pleased that travel requirements have been simplified and aligned with the recommendations of the Council of the European Union. Latvia’s decision to allow non-essential travel for vaccinated has been harmonised with the regulations of other EU Member States. The epidemiological situation in the European Union is improving, and this allows us to review the restrictions imposed so far. Coordinated and united action of the European Union for free travel will allow both citizens to plan summer vacations and the international passenger transport industry to return to business as usual,” explains Minister of Transport Tālis Linkaits.
For a transitional period until 1 September, one can present a document equal to digital certificate in English or in the language of the country of departure either on paper or electronically (on a smart device).
The amendments also stipulate that children under the age of 12 do not have to present a negative test result when entering Latvia, but they will be subject to the same conditions for self-isolation as their companions: if the person accompanying the child does not have to self-isolate, then the child also does not have to. However, for 10 days after entry, those children will not be allowed to contact people outside their household, attend public events, children’s groups, go to camp, school, or kindergarten, or use public transport.
In future, for a country to be considered epidemiologically safe, its cumulative incidence over the last 14 days must not exceed 75 cases per 100 000 population, instead of the current 50 cases.
The ban on non-essential travel to Latvia, the requirement to perform a test before and after the trip, as well as the requirement for self-isolation for vaccinated and recovered remain only when traveling from countries with a particularly high risk to public health (Emergency brake regulation).
Non-COVID-19 certified (non-vaccinated, non-recovered, without negative test result) individuals are allowed non-essential travel from the EU, EEA, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and low-risk third countries, but non-vaccinated must be tested before travel and self-isolate upon arrival. When returning from high-risk third countries, those individuals must additionally undergo a test upon arrival in Latvia.
To publish this article please contact BalticTravelnews.eu editorial board
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