Saeima approves additional measures to limit the spread of COVID-19

(02.04.2020.)

On Thursday, 2 April, the Saeima held an extraordinary sitting and adopted the decision by the Cabinet of Ministers to extend the precautionary measures taken during the emergency situation to limit the spread of COVID-19.

According to the amendments to the Cabinet decree on declaring a state of emergency, people must observe a distance of two metres in all public spaces, both indoors and outdoors. Not more than two persons, or two or more people living in the same household may assemble in public indoor and outdoor spaces without observing the two metre distance. The rule does not apply to a parent and their children living in different households, if the children are minors, or to people performing work or official duties.

The amendments to the Cabinet decree on declaring a state of emergency also provide that, in addition to the existing restrictions, people arriving from abroad may not use public transportation.

Upon application by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the State Police has the right to request information from providers of electronic communications services and the providers may provide information on the phone number and location of a particular person, if the client is established as infected or as a contact person of someone who is infected. These data are to be provided to the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control with the aim of carrying out epidemiological investigation and verifying the information provided by the person on their movements.

The amendments also stipulate that cultural, entertainment, outdoor sports and other recreation venues should not open earlier than 8:00 and close later than 22:00 (formerly 23:00). All public events, meetings, demonstrations, pickets and religious activities involving assembly are prohibited, as is the operation of indoor sports facilities.

Additionally, the amendments impose a ban on any private events, except funeral services outdoors, provided that participants observe a distance of two metres between one another and comply with other epidemiological safety measures.

The adopted amendments provide that the following types of shops may be open on weekends and holidays in shopping centres, as long as social distancing and epidemiological safety measures are ensured: grocery shops, newsagent’s, pharmacies (including veterinary pharmacies), vaccination centres, opticians, pet food shops, dry cleaner’s, shops selling hygiene and household products, as well as shops selling construction and gardening supplies.

In addition, the amendments to the Cabinet decree on declaring a state of emergency stipulate that, during the state of emergency, an employer has the right to employ a person without receiving the mandatory health check, in case health services necessary to receive the mandatory health check are unavailable as a result of a decree issued by the Minister of Health, or other external legislation.

The Cabinet decrees on the emergency situation are in effect since their adoption on 25, 27, 29, and 31 March, respectively.

Full text of the decision in Latvian: https://titania.saeima.lv/LIVS13/saeimalivs_lmp.nsf/webSasaiste?OpenView&restricttocategory=366/Lm13

 

Saeima Press Service

Piektdien, 29.martā