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As the number of coronavirus cases grows in Lithuania and Estonia, the so-called Baltic travel bubble may burst this Friday, the country’s Prime Minister Krišjanis Karinis announced during a Latvian government meeting. The final decision will be made on Friday afternoon when Thursday’s morbidity figures are released.
It should be noted that if Latvia includes Lithuania in the list of affected countries on Friday, the self-isolation requirement would come into effect from Saturday, September 5 And in Lithuania and Estonia, new lists of affected countries will come into force on Monday.
According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control on Wednesday, the total COVID-19 morbidity rate in 14 days in Lithuania is 16.3 (decreased by 0.5 points per day) 100 thousand cases. population. Estonian – 14.7. Latvian – 4.2.
From the Prime Minister of Latvia: criticism of Lithuania and Estonia
At a meeting on Wednesday, Latvia’s Cabinet of Ministers raised the issue of the Baltic travel bubble and discussed possible problems after its burst. At the end of the meeting, it was announced that no decision had been made to modify the current provisions. If Lithuania or Estonia exceed the aforementioned indicator on Friday, they will have to isolate themselves when arriving in Latvia from these countries.
Latvian Prime Minister K. Karinis and other members of the government have spoken in favor of Latvia sending a clear message: no exceptions can be made to any state, he writes delfi.lv.
Both the prime minister and ministers pointed out that the Baltic travel bubble was created in May, but neighboring countries did not apply the same strict self-isolation requirements as Latvia and also allowed the arrival of the “red” countries.
As a result, the ministers agreed not to make concessions to Lithuania and Estonia and to determine this week how arrival controls and border surveillance will be carried out.
Photo by Josvydas Elinskas / 15min / Krišjanis Karinis and Saulius Skvernelis
Prime Minister K. Karinis did not hide his disappointment because “the neighboring countries did not take the same restrictions as Latvia, so they found themselves in a worse situation and now they expect concessions from Latvia.”
As Latvia takes stronger measures in the fight against COVID-19, also showed an analysis by researchers from the University of Oxford.
K. Karinis did not hide his disappointment because “neighboring countries did not take the same restrictions as Latvia, so they found themselves in a worse situation and now they expect concessions from Latvia.”
“Unfortunately, we have to accept the fact that self-isolation will be necessary for those who have returned from the Baltic countries, if there is such a number,” the Latvian prime minister said. “We will not close the borders, but there will be self-isolation.”
Transit would be allowed, even going to the airport
However, the Latvians do not threaten to trap everyone who comes from Lithuania. A.Veryga reported on Tuesday that “Latvia does not plan to carry out any real border control and it will depend on the conscience of the visitors.”
Latvian Center for Disease Prevention and Control on Monday 15 minutes stated that transit through Latvia will be allowed both by land and air (including connecting flights). Many traveling Lithuanians use Riga airport, from where the Latvian airline airBaltic operates more flights.
“Even if the total of Lithuania from 14 d. the indicator will exceed 16 cases per 100,000. Lithuanian citizens will still be able to use Latvia as a transit country, if they do not stay in Latvia longer than necessary. If they want to stay longer than necessary for transit, they will have 14 days to isolate themselves, “said the response. 15 minutes said Gintas Georgas Murashevs of the Latvian Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
It should also not be prohibited to enter Riga airport by car and board a plane there. Only then “a person will have to wear a mask, avoid any unnecessary contact with other people and get on the plane as soon as possible,” explained GGMurashev.
The measures currently in force in Latvia can be found in English. here, but they are likely to change this week.
Restrictions are growing in Europe
With the resurgence of infections in Europe, several countries are introducing new restrictions. For example, Ukraine and Hungary have already closed their borders to foreigners. Kiev unexpectedly advanced its decision one day, so now On Friday, some passengers were denied boarding at Vilnius airport.
Due to ever-changing rules, low-cost airlines cancel some flights and offer to some countries ridiculously low priced tickets – but those in which the morbidity rate is high enough. Read more here: Do times of uncertainty go back? Ryanair offers ridiculously cheap tickets and cancellations.
“Scanpix” / “SIPA”
Experience has already shown that countries issue travel bans very hastily, so travel planning must be done very responsibly. It can become an obstacle for Lithuanians to freely enter other countries and our country has exceeded 16 cases per 100 thousand. population threshold.
Travel restrictions in a specific country can be verified in Lithuania On the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the consular offices of that State.
Latvia’s tourism sector has asked Lithuania to make an exception
Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis was asked last week if an exemption was being negotiated for Lithuania as a participant in the Baltic bubble. answered negatively. “I don’t think we should talk about exceptions. We have not applied and we do not apply exceptions, except those related to traffic,” said the press conference. 15 minutes Prime Minister S. Skvernelis asked the question.
We agree that the so-called “Baltic bubble” will be when we meet those criteria. If something falls out of them, it falls out. An exception will be possible if those criteria are changed in all Baltic States; maybe the number is different, not 16, not 25 cases per 100,000. population, ”the prime minister said last week.
And the Latvian tourism sector has asked its authorities to make urgent decisions. The inclusion of Lithuania in the so-called yellow or even red list of countries affected by COVID-19 would significantly harm Latvia’s tourism sector, said Santa Kreste, director of the Latvian Hotel and Restaurant Association.
S.Graikstė BNS stated that this summer most of the tourists who visited Latvia came from Lithuania, therefore, by including this country in the list of countries from which arrivals should be isolated for 14 days, the flow of tourists in Latvia would decrease significantly.
Asnate Ziemele of the Latvian Rural Tourism Association Lauku ceļotājs, who gave the example of Finland and Estonia, also supported the exceptions of Lithuania.
“We need to find a solution for the unity and cooperation of the Baltic states, as Finland and Estonia have done. Finland has made an exception for Estonia, even if it should be included in the list of ‘dangerous’ countries according to Finnish criteria. We must also appreciate the unity of the Baltic countries and make exceptions, “he said.
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