On Thursday, 17 September, the Saeima adopted in the final reading urgent amendments to the Electronic Communications Law, stipulating that providers of electronic communications services shall communicate information provided by the State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to the public.
According to the amendments, after receiving information from the SFRS about a potential or actual disaster that endangers human life, health, or property, providers of electronic communications services must, as soon as possible, provide mobile subscribers and other users of communications services with information provided by the SFRS on how to act in the said situation.
The amendments were necessary because Latvian epidemiologists and World Health Organisation experts expect a possible second wave of COVID‑19 in autumn. Prompt improvements to the early warning system are therefore necessary to ensure preparedness and to inform the public in a more efficient way about the proper actions if such situation arises, explains the summary of the Draft Law.
In case of a disaster or threat of a disaster, a modern and fully efficient solution for communicating information to the public is needed. According to the summary of the amendments, mobile phones are used by 98% of the Latvian population, therefore it can be considered a convenient and accessible method of communication.
Providers of electronic communications services already have the obligation to send information prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via text message to inform people abroad about possible courses of action in case of a threat in the respective country.
Saeima Press Service