COVID-19 Information

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COVID-19 Information
Last updated: 22 January 2021

*** Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions. 

Country-Specific Information
The Department of State has issued a  Level 3 Advisory  advising U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Latvia due to the global impact of COVID-19.  Availability of services in Latvia is good.  Latvia extended the State of Emergency through February 7, 2021.  Visit https://www.mk.gov.lv/lv/aktualitates for updated information.  Restaurants are limited to take-out and delivery only.  Only grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and veterinary services are open for clients. Public events are cancelled.  The government has reinstated the 2+2 rule, requiring no more than two individuals within 2 meters of others when in public.  Masks or mouth/nose coverings are mandatory in all public indoor places.  Regular flights are available out of Latvia, however, flight schedules remain limited and have not returned to pre-pandemic levels.  International passenger transport through airports, ports, by bus and by rail to and from all countries in the European Union, the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom resumed on January 15, 2021. Upon entering Latvia, all travelers entering Latvia aged 12 and over will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test from within the previous 72 hours.

On January 21, the Cabinet of Ministers has extended a curfew during the weekends through February 7, 2021. Every Friday and Saturday, those present in Latvia must stay inside his/her place of residence nightly from 10 pm until 5 am.  For more details on the curfew please see our December 30 Health Alert here.  Businesses can operate from 6:00am to 9:00pm allowing workers time to get home before curfew ends.  The curfew includes take out service from restaurants and delivery services.

The Government of Latvia reports there have been 59 586 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within its borders (+ 876 cases from 12 397 tests reported on January 22)

There have been 1076 reported COVID-19 related deaths in Latvia (+19 cases reported on January 22)

COVID-19 Testing

  • Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Latvia?  Yes
  • If so, are test results reliably available within 72 hours? Yes
    • From 19 December to 25 January, anyone with symptoms can be tested for free.  For those without symptoms, only citizens and residence permit holders can be tested for free.  If you do not meet these criteria, the cost, per test, is 53 euros.
    • For more information on how to get tested, please visit the Government of Latvia COVID-19 website (https://covid19.gov.lv/en/covid-19/about-covid-19/who-can-be-tested-covid-19-free)
    • Individuals with severe symptoms please call the emergency line at 113.
    • For a COVID-19 questions, call the COVID-19 Hotline at 8345.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

Entry and Exit Requirements

  • Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? No 
    • Restrictions from entering Latvia from outside the European Union (including the United States) remain in place. If returning to/entering Latvia from a country which is subject to special precautionary and restrictive measures due to a high number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the specific country (more than 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) will be required to self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival.  For a list of countries and the rate please visit the following: https://www.spkc.gov.lv/lv/if-returning-toentering-latvia.  If the country is marked in red or yellow, a person must self-isolate for a period of 10 days after the leaving the specific country. Upon entering Latvia, all travelers aged 12 and over will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test from within the previous 72 hours.
    • U.S. citizens residing in the United States are banned from entering Latvia for non-essential travel, which includes tourism, unless you have an EU passport or meet the very narrow exceptions detailed in the next bullet.  The EU Commission determines who may enter the EU based on epidemiological data.  At this time, there is no projected date when travelers from the United States will be permitted to enter Latvia.
    • Exceptions to the travel ban include spouses or minor children of Latvian nationals, long-term residents, members of government delegations and passengers in transit.  Non-EU passport holders with EU permanent residence permits may also enter Latvia Please visit the website of the Embassy of Latvia in Washington D.C. here for information regarding entry into Latvia and here for consular information.
    • Consult with your airline regarding any documents they may require for boarding.  The Embassy cannot request special exceptions to the travel restrictions.  You must contact the Latvian Embassy in Washington if you believe you have a compelling travel reason.
  • Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes, upon entering Latvia, all travelers aged 12 and over will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test from within the previous 72 hours.
  • Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry?  No
    • There are no special health checks for arriving passengers at Riga Airport.
    • All travelers, except children under the age of 7, must wear a medical mask in the Airport.  Entry into the Airport terminal is only allowed for passengers wearing a mask who have a boarding pass or booking confirmation.
    • The Airport urges travelers to observe the requirement to wear a mask during their stay at the Airport.  If a passenger arrives at the Airport without a mask, s/he can purchase one at the entrance or in the terminal.
    • Before entering Latvia, all passengers are requested to fill out a electronic questionnaire https://covidpass.lv/en/ confirming that they will observe the established epidemiological safety measures upon arrival.   Passengers must fill in their name, surname, personal identification code, contact telephone number and address of the actual place of residence where they can be reached, as well as countries and dates of departure where passengers have stayed during the 14 days before arrival in Latvia.  For minors, the form must be completed by the parent/legal representative. Travelers will receive a QR code that must be submitted to the border guard official (in case of border control or random inspection).  The form must be completed at least 48 hours before crossing the border.  The data entered in the form will be forwarded to the competent Latvian authorities (Latvian police, border guard, and disease prevention and control center) and will be kept for 30 days.  More information is available at: https://mk.gov.lv/en/aktualitates/october-12-when-crossing-border-republic-latvia-electronic-questionnaire-will-have-be.
    • If a passenger has arrived from a country with a Covid-19 cumulative 14-day incidence over 50 per 100 000 inhabitants, this person is subject to 10-day self-isolation when entering Latvia. The list of these countries is available on the website of the Latvia’s Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC).

Movement Restrictions

  • Is a curfew in place?  Yes – See Country Specific Information
  • Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel?  No

Quarantine Information 

  • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes
    • If entering Latvia from a country which is subject to special precautionary and restrictive measures due to a high number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the specific country. The list of countries can be viewed on the website of the Latvia`s Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (Slimību profilakses un kontroles centrs). If the country is marked in red or yellow, a person must self-isolate for a period of 10 days after the leaving the specific country. Self-isolation must be maintained at the place of a person’s residence or another place of stay.

Transportation Options

  • Are commercial flights operating? Yes
    • Passenger flights from Riga Airport continue to remain limited.  However, airlines have begun to resume many previous flight paths. Check Riga Airport website  for the current list of available destinations.
  • Is public transportation operating? Yes
    • For those arriving from countries with a high number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, masks are required on public transportation and in taxis when traveling to the place of self-isolation.  The list of countries can be viewed on the website of the Latvia Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (Slimību profilakses un kontroles centrs).
    • Following the 10-day period of self-isolation, masks are required to be worn on public transportation or in taxis.

Fines for Non-Compliance

  • Individuals not complying with the curfew requirements can be subject to a fine from 100 – 2000 euros.

Consular Operations

  • The U.S. Embassy Riga has limited, emergency, in-person passport and CRBA appointments, certain emergency visa appointments and other emergency services as needed.  American citizens should contact us at  askconsular-riga@state.gov if assistance is needed.
  • U.S. Citizens seeking information on the CARES Act, including stimulus checks for individuals and assistance for small business owners, are encouraged to visit the   IRS Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payment site for more information.

Local Resources:

Other Resources:

 

By | 22 January, 2021 | Topics: Alert

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