Latvia awaits Lithuanians again: what to know for those who go and what is worth seeing

The requirement to take the COVID-19 test and quarantine when entering Latvia should be lifted for people who can present a digital COVID certificate showing that they have been vaccinated against the coronavirus or have contracted it in the last six months.

As of now, the restrictive measures of Covid-19 in Latvia are applied in response to the pandemic situation in the countries of origin of Latvia: the list of low risk countries (up to 75 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants), high and extremely alto (found HERE) is published every Friday and goes into effect on the same Saturday of the week.

All persons traveling to Latvia or transiting the country in any way must complete the traveler form covidpass.lv and save the QR code at least 48 hours before crossing the border of the Republic of Latvia.

From the EU, EEA countries, Switzerland, the UK and low-risk third countries, the following can enter or transit Latvia without restriction or isolation:

a) people vaccinated with vaccines recognized by the European Medicines Agency or the World Health Organization 15 days after the end of the vaccination cycle and in possession of a document that accredits it;

(b) people with a history of Covid-19 disease, no more than 180 days after the first positive SARS RNA test, and people in possession of a document certifying it;

c) Have no earlier than 72 hours. PCR SARS-CoV-2COVID-19 or not before 24 hours. it is a negative result on a SARS-CoV-2 antigen test.

10 days are required for unvaccinated or unvaccinated persons. isolation, if you come from the EU, EEA countries, Switzerland or the UK after being included in the high risk country lists. Isolation can be shortened on your own by conducting a study on day 7.

Only people vaccinated with vaccines recognized by the European Medicines Agency or the World Health Organization 15 days after the end of the vaccination cycle and the Covid-19 disease not before 180 days can enter or pass through third countries of high risk without testing and isolation. sick people.

For others, it is mandatory to have at least one of the important reasons for immediate arrival in Latvia (work, studies, education, family reunification, treatment, transit, escort of minors, return to permanent residence and funeral) and no earlier than 72 hours. PCR or not before 24 hours. negative result of antigen test performed and isolate within 10 days of arrival in Latvia.

All persons traveling to Latvia or crossing Latvia from especially high-risk third countries must have at least one of the important reasons for arriving in Latvia immediately at least 72 hours in advance. PCR or not before 24 hours. test negative for SARS-CoV-2 antigen and must arrive in Latvia on his own accord within 24 hours. retest and isolate for 10 days.

Until September 1st. Arrivals from the EU, EEA, Switzerland and the UK may be accompanied by an EU digital COVID-19 certificate or other document certifying vaccination, retransmission or tests issued in those countries. When coming from other countries, the test result must be presented in English or the language of the country of arrival. These documents must be on paper or available on an electronic device.

Those arriving in Latvia from a low or high risk country or the EU, EEA, Switzerland or the UK and are unable to provide proof of vaccination, relapse or examination, or arriving in Latvia from a high risk country should do so immediately on your own within 24 hours. . do a Covid-19 test and isolate.

People in transit through Latvia must cross the country within 12 hours of registering in the covidpass.lv system, except for:

1. passengers in international transport who must leave the territory of Latvia within 48 hours;

two. employees of transport transportation services, cargo or technical travel employees, who must cross the territory of Latvia within 72 hours;

3. members of the ship’s crew, as well as seafarers who must travel to or from their place of work on board the ship;

Four. members of the aircraft crew;

5. Aircraft passengers in transit through the territory of Latvia without leaving the controlled area of ​​the airport and staying there for a maximum of 24 hours, if they can present tickets for the connecting flight.

Foreigners can only transit Latvia from high and particularly high risk countries other than EU, EEA, Switzerland or UK countries upon returning to their permanent place of residence. If these people arrive in Latvia by plane, they must wait for the connecting flight for no more than 24 hours without leaving the controlled area of ​​the airport.

Restrictions on testing and isolation do not apply to:

1) children under 12 years old, arriving in Latvia or traveling in transit, no COVID testing or isolation is required. For children 12 years and older, a COVID PCR or antigen test is required, but isolation is not required (this isolation exception applies to unvaccinated and unvaccinated minors prior to 09/01/2021) when You travel with vaccinated or relapsing adults from a country with a history of 14 days. It did not exceed 75 cases per 100,000. population (low-risk countries). If children under 12 come from high or especially high risk countries (more than 75 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), isolation is mandatory. Isolation is also mandatory for unvaccinated and non-sick adults accompanying children from high and particularly high risk countries to or through Latvia;

(2) staff of passenger transportation and transportation service providers and staff dealing with passenger, cargo, and technical travel, including when traveling to or from work. Professional freight and bus drivers must present to the State Border Guard Service and the State Police upon request a driver’s license confirming the corresponding category, a digital tachograph card and a tachograph of the last business days and a transportation sector employee certificate in a CE-approved form;

3) seafarers who need to go to and from work on board;

4) passengers of aircraft crossing Latvia in transit without leaving the controlled area of ​​the airport and staying there no more than 24 hours and able to present documents confirming the transit;

5) employees of foreign diplomatic and consular missions, international organizations and their missions and their accredited relatives in Latvia;

6) persons who have arrived in Latvia at the invitation of the President of the State, the Seimas, the Cabinet of Ministers or a member thereof, the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the State Audit Office or the Ministry;

7) Latvian or foreign diplomatic couriers or ad hoc diplomatic couriers who have presented an official document indicating their status and the number of diplomatic postage;

8) holders of diplomatic passports of the Republic of Latvia, accompanying technical personnel and officials and employees of the diplomatic and consular service performing official functions;

9) for residents who cross the land border with EU member states on a daily basis, when related to: work (a document proving the fact of work must be presented); receipt of child care services or receipt of preschool education services (upon presentation of a certificate issued by the service provider or educational institution); science in primary, secondary, higher or professional education programs (by presenting a certificate issued by an educational institution); accompany a minor or student with special needs (by submitting a statement issued to the student by the service provider or educational institution). But the above people need to fill out the registration form once every 30 days.

10) other persons who have received permission from the Head of the Latvian State Border Guard or an official authorized by him to cross the external border of the EU, if it complies with the rules of international law, the interests of the Latvian State or that is Due to force majeure or for humanitarian reasons.

TOP 10 tourist attractions in Latvia

• Liepaja. The city of winds is called Liepaja, a great alternative to Lithuanian resorts. The city, full of peace, attracts with its cozy beach, the charming Liepaja promenade, the former Karuosta military prison, where events and concerts are often organized.
• Ventspils. The famous Latvian resort offers activities and entertainment for vacationers, from swimming in the water park, visiting a medieval castle or a folk museum to a relaxing vacation on a white sand beach that has won the Blue Flag.
• Kuldyga. In one of the most beautiful cities in Latvia, you can see the widest waterfall in Europe, the original brick bridge, walk through the streets of the charming old town and admire the old buildings, among which the Alekšupytė stream meanders.
• Rundale. The country’s relatively small settlement is most famous for its impressive Baroque-Rococo style palaces. With more than 130 rooms, the Rundale Palace, owned by Duke J. Bironas of Curland, impresses with its luxurious and elegant interior solutions, a French-style park that simply exudes romance.
• Sigulda. The city is often called the winter sports capital of Latvia, as there are downhill skiing and bobsleigh runs, but there is also no shortage of activities in the summer. When visiting Sigulda, the medieval and new castle complex is worth a visit, to try your luck in the vertical wind tunnel.
• Cesis. Cesis, located on the banks of the Gauja River, is one of the oldest cities in Latvia, where travelers are drawn to admire the magnificent Cesis Castle, built in the 13th century. order of swords.
• Irish. In the settlement you can see one of the most interesting monuments in the history of northern Europe – the lake castle complex, built on poles over the water.
• Riežupė sandstone caves. Near Kuldiga, a two-kilometer maze of sandstone caves stretches underground, where a wonderful underground kingdom opens up.
• Cinevilla city of cinemas. This is a great movie decoration that was created for the movie “Guardians of Riga”. Here you can see what Riga was like a century ago, how movies were born and how actors work. Cinevilla has a restaurant, a bakery, a hotel and a tavern.
• Kemer National Park. The incredibly beautiful national park is rich in biodiversity, mineral waters, and healing mud baths. Already in the 18th century. People from all over Europe came to experience the healing properties of water and mud baths.