[ad_1]
Already in early July, the Latvian government took stricter security measures as the country registered an increase in Covid-19 cases. This time, the country’s government agreed to reduce the opening hours of catering establishments. Restrictions on meetings in public catering establishments have also been extended until September 1.
Work in cultural, sporting, entertainment, nightclub, catering, and places of worship must begin no earlier than 6 p.m. and finish no later than 24 hours.
In early July, the incidence of Covid-19 in Latvia had increased significantly: 38 new cases of infection were confirmed in four days.
However, the strictest restrictions in the country seem to have paid off. After almost two weeks, no new diseases are registered in Latvia or isolated. For example, no new cases of Covid-19 infection were reported on July 20, and only one on July 21.
Latvians deserved praise
Former Latvian member Seimas Romualdas Ražukas notes that new infections with Covid-19 are becoming a rarity, and the increase in infections mentioned in early July is related to an outbreak.
“Some very intense visitors to restaurants and cafes in Liepaja visited three or more institutions during an afternoon and evening and such a sporadic case was reported,” R. Ražukas told tv3.lt.
The former MP reminds that there are more and more individual fireplaces in the country.
“Most of them are foreigners or people who have come from abroad. Right now, in a matter of weeks or no case, and today (July 21 – Auto Mail) “Only one,” said R. Ražukas.
The former MP for Latvia’s fight against Covid-19 is even considered very successful, noting that the country’s government, which has been criticized so far, deserves praise.
“It just came to our attention then. Our government is rarely praised by anyone, and I don’t recall it in my experience. (Laughs – paste automatically). But there is a public opinion that the government has done well, “said the interlocutor.
Currently, protective masks are not mandatory in Latvia, without labor restrictions, there are no mandatory safety requirements.
“The masks were compulsory on public transport, but now they are not. This instruction has been revoked. Now it is debated that the Prime Minister has said that if the situation continues to deteriorate, it will need to be introduced. But as it is not getting worse, those languages they have been silent, “said R. Ražukas.
Fewer cases registered due to fewer studies
However, Professor Mindaugas Stankūnas of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences is in no rush to rejoice over the success of his neighbors, noting that the number of diseases detected in the country also depends on the scope of the tests, which were more abundant in Lithuania.
“One of the main reasons the number of cases was lower in Latvia is due to the fact that Latvians evaluated significantly fewer people,” said M. Stankūnas on tv3.lt.
And in fact, in Lithuania, counting 1 million. 180,114 studies were conducted in Latvia and 98,270 in Latvia, a total of 489,869 Covid-19 studies were conducted in Lithuania and 185,223 in Latvia.
“Lithuanians have practically doubled the number of tests, they are testing much more than any other country.” <...> We should make a great effort to find out which state has tried so much, “said the professor.
According to the number of tests 1 million. Lithuania’s population is currently 15th in the world.
How diseases are expressed is also important. Comparing the number of diseases, for example, per million inhabitants, Lithuania and Latvia do not differ much: in Lithuania 1 million. Population by population is 717, in Latvia – 635.
“The media count absolute cases, but epidemiology calculates relative values: how many cases per 100,000. Or per million inhabitants. The relative numbers of Lithuania and Latvia do not differ much. And in terms of test volumes, Lithuania is very much ahead of Latvia. This is one of the main reasons why the numbers in Latvia were lower, “said the professor.
It is also important that, according to M. Stankūnas, there have not been many large outbreaks of disease in Latvia, as in Lithuania, for example, in Klaipėda, Nemenčinė, Ukmergė or Kaunas.
“Each fireplace is different, you must see why and what appeared there, it is not possible to summarize it. In Latvia, the measures were less mandatory, more stringent, and in Lithuania they were stricter. But the Latvians passed the quarantine in a rather disciplined way , according to Google data, “said M. Stankūnas.
July 21 According to the data, a total of 1197 people were infected with Covid-19 in Latvia, 31 died, in Lithuania – 1951 infections, 80 deaths.
It is important if you are traveling to or via Latvia
Citizens of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia and persons legally residing in these countries can travel to the Baltic States without restrictions or isolation, provided they have not visited countries where the incidence of Covid-19 disease exceeded 16 cases per 100,000 in the last 14 days. population.
The list of countries from which entry to Lithuania is allowed and whose citizens or people who have visited them must be isolated upon arrival is updated weekly.
The EU’s internal borders in Latvia are open. Arrivals and departures from Latvia are possible on regular international flights, buses and private cars or on foot. Lithuanian citizens, citizens of other EU countries, the EEA and the United Kingdom and Switzerland, their families and people permanently residing in the above mentioned countries can transit Latvia by all types of transport when they return to their place of permanent residence.
From July 16. Latvia is beginning to collect data on the countries visited and the contact information of all travelers to or via Latvia within 14 days. The passenger questionnaires will be provided by companies engaged in international passenger transport or by Latvian officials.
For travelers traveling by bus, plane, train, or ferry, questionnaires must be submitted by carriers, and those who cross the border by car or on foot may complete the questionnaires on-site if requested by Latvian officials.
[ad_2]
