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The decision has not yet been approved by the government.
After the meeting, Prime Minister Krišjanis Military explained to journalists that the introduction of a state of emergency and much stricter restrictions for unvaccinated people are aimed at speeding up vaccination as much as possible. Controls of security measures will also be strengthened.
According to the Prime Minister, Latvia is in a very difficult situation: there are too many people who have not yet been vaccinated and this has a great impact on the health system. The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the country is growing rapidly, limiting the ability of hospitals to provide all services.
“We have been fighting COVID-19 in the country for a year and a half, but this fight will not end until the number of people vaccinated in risk groups reaches 90% and in society as a whole, 75%. There is still a long way to go, ”said K. Karinis.
Restrictions will be introduced on people not vaccinated against COVID-19, but some measures will also affect vaccinated people.
Epidemiological limitations will be mainly related to access to services for the unvaccinated population. It will also be decided how to limit contact with those vaccinated.
The restrictions will not affect the educational process in schools, but all children will be required to wear masks on school premises. Education and Science Minister Anita Muižniecė added that additional education (circles) during a state of emergency will be significantly limited.
COVID-19 vaccines will be mandatory for all public sector employees, Karinis said after a Crisis Management Council meeting Thursday night.
The Prime Minister explained that the ministries are preparing guidelines for vaccinating employees.
Until now, vaccines were mandatory for doctors, teachers and staff of social care centers. On Thursday, the Crisis Management Council decided that all public sector employees, both at the state and municipal levels, should also be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Vaccination requirements for those working in the private sector will also be expanded. After the Crisis Management Council meeting, Health Minister Daniel Pavlut said that private sector employers should assess the need to vaccinate certain workers, with a particular focus on workers whose activities are critical to the job. of the company or in the workers who have direct contact with the clients.
These decisions will take effect when they are approved at an extraordinary government meeting on Friday.
The government plans to make the decision to limit the opening hours of the stores. In addition, with few exceptions, only people with a “COVID certificate” will be admitted to the stores.
Cultural events will be held with a smaller number of spectators or participants, said Culture Minister Nauris Puntulis.
People not vaccinated or not vaccinated against COVID-19 will only be able to shop in smaller stores and will no longer be admitted to supermarkets.
K. Karinis pointed out that it is planned to reduce the opening hours of the stores.
According to the prime minister, it was also decided to impose certain restrictions on vaccinated people. For example, during events in the so-called green zone (safe), additional epidemiological safety requirements will apply, such as the mandatory use of masks, compliance with the distance.
The Crisis Management Board also continues to encourage all public and private sector employees to work remotely.
“Unfortunately, half of the Latvian population took advantage of this opportunity (vaccinated against COVID-19 – ed.), And the other half did not. If there weren’t so many unvaccinated people in Latvia, we wouldn’t have to take this step, because unvaccinated people get seriously ill and fill the country’s hospitals, causing congestion in the health system, ”said the Latvian Minister of Health. , Danielis Pavlutas.
The state of emergency in Latvia was also introduced last year when the pandemic began. Last fall and winter, when the situation deteriorated, it dragged on. The state of emergency for COVID-19 in Latvia will now be declared for the third time.
The state of emergency is a special legal instrument; By applying it, the Cabinet of Ministers has the right to restrict the rights and freedoms of the state administration, local authorities, natural and legal persons, to impose additional obligations on them in accordance with the relevant laws and procedures.
The Cabinet of Ministers declares a state of emergency for a limited period of time, which does not exceed three months. The government will lift the state of emergency earlier if the threat to the state is avoided or overcome.
The government also has the right to extend the state of emergency if necessary for a maximum period of three months.
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