Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Riga, Latvia (November 6, 2020)
Location: Latvia
Event: Latvia Announces State of Emergency from November 9 to December 6.
On Friday, November 6, the Cabinet of Ministers announced a State of Emergency from Monday, November 9 to December 6.
For the full announcement, please visit https://mk.gov.lv/lv/aktualitates/no-9-novembra-latvija-tiek-izsludinata-arkarteja-situacija .
Some details of the announcement are as follows:
- Private gatherings are allowed for up to 10 people (from no more than two households).
- Public events are prohibited (concerts, theatre performances etc.).
- No more than 10 people from two households can attend a funeral.
- No more than 50 people can gather outside for meetings, processions, and demonstrations.
- Dance clubs, gaming halls, and bars are closed.
- Entertainment venues are closed including skating rinks, amusement parks, indoor playgrounds in shopping malls, waterparks, etc.
- Spas and saunas are closed.
- Hiking trails are open for individual hikes.
- Museums, churches, libraries, exhibitions and other cultural institutions remain open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. however, events there are prohibited.
- Professional sports competitions are allowed without spectators.
- Outdoor sport trainings are allowed for up to 10 people without changing rooms.
- Grocery stores, optical stores, pet stores, pharmacies, bookstores, telecommunication stores, household goods stores, and news stands in shopping malls can remain open on the weekends.
- All stores must ensure space for 10 m2 per customer.
- Restaurants and catering (outside of schools, workplaces, and at the airport) are closed except for delivery.
- Kindergartens remain open.
- Children in grades 1-6 can attend school.
- Children in grades 7-12 and adult education will continue distance learning.
- Extracurricular activities for children are cancelled.
- Medical services remain available.
- State borders remain open.
Measures previously announced
Face masks must be worn in all public places – public transportation, taxi, stores, pharmacies, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, post offices, museums, exhibition halls, libraries and churches as well as in places where two meters distance is not possible and presence exceeds 15 minutes.
Note: The requirement of two meters for social distancing remains in place
All travelers to Latvia are required to fill out and complete the electronic form at https://covidpass.lv/en/ at least 48 h before crossing the border. For minors, the form must be completed by the parent/legal representative. The form requires personal information, contact details, and the previous 14 days travel history. Travelers will receive a QR code that must be submitted to the border guard official (in case of border control or random inspection). 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.
Actions to Take:
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Latvia.
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
- Follow travel.state.gov on Facebook and Twitter.
- Visit https://reopen.europa.eu/ for information on border openings and entry/exit requirements for countries within the European Union.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Riga, Latvia
Samnera Velsa iela 1
Riga LV-1510
+371 6710 7000
+371 6710 7000 (after hours)
askconsular-riga@state.gov - After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +371 2920 5708
- State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 - Latvia Country Information
- Enroll in Safe Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
