In order to additionally inform persons arriving or returning to Latvia about the need to observe self-isolation, from Monday, 28 September 2020, Latvian mobile operators will send a text message (SMS) to everyone who crosses the Latvian border.
The message will call for mandatory self-isolation and other precautions in order to avoid exposing others to the risk of infection. Every person who enters Latvia will be invited to visit the COVID-19 website https://covid19.gov.lv, where everyone can find the information they are looking for in three languages - Latvian, English and Russian.
Individuals arriving from countries with a high incidence of Covid-19 must self-isolate for 10 days and stay in their place of residence or another place of self-isolation. In order not to expose others to the risk of infection, it is not allowed to receive guests, visit others and go to work and public places where many people may be present. The only exceptions are going to the shop and getting to the person’s residence or place of self-isolation immediately after entering Latvia, wearing a mouth and nose covering.
These persons must monitor their health for 10 days and measure their body temperature. If signs of a respiratory infection are developed, a doctor must be contacted in order to decide on being tested for Covid-19. Upon entering Latvia, a negative Covid-19 test does not release one from the obligation to self-isolate.
For those groups of persons for whom the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers has established special self-isolation conditions for the performance of work duties in Latvia, for example, for foreigners whose arrival in Latvia is required for fulfilling the obligations of Latvian merchants, for professional athletes, transport and passenger service providers, foreign cultural workers, and border residents, who study, work or receive medical treatment in Lithuania or Estonia, and for other groups, these conditions remain unchanged and special rules for self-isolation apply.
A reminder from the epidemiologists! When arriving in Latvia, it is possible to download the Apturi Covid app, which allows you to find out if you have been in contact with a COVID-19 patient sooner, making it possible for you to isolate yourself in time so as to not put your relatives, colleagues, friends and other residents in danger.
Ilze Arāja
Head of the Communication Department, SPKC tel. +371 67387667 prese@spkc.gov.lv