On Thursday, 11 November, the Saeima adopted in the second and final reading urgent amendments, stipulating criminal liability for obtaining or possessing falsified interoperable COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or recovery certificates.

The amendments stipulate that violations of this kind will be subject to a prison sentence of up to one year, temporary detention, community service, or a fine.

The amendments also stipulate that voluntary reports about the crime and active involvement in the detection and investigation thereof will absolve the perpetrators from criminal liability.

As stated in the summary of the Draft Law, vaccination is the only currently available tool to limit the spread of COVID-19. It is also the main prerequisite for epidemiologically safe provision of services and ensuring a safe work environment, which is crucial for our economy and the continuity of the work of governmental institutions.

The amendments to the Law also intensify liability for offering or giving financial or other benefits, personally or through an intermediary, to staff members of state or municipal institutions who are not public officials. Such an offence will be punishable with a prison sentence of up to one year, temporary detention, community service, or a fine.

According to the authors of the Draft Law, the new regulation may also be applied in case of the spread of other vaccine-preventable diseases.

The amendments will come into effect on the day following their proclamation.

Saeima Press Service