Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Riga, Latvia (October 21, 2021)
Location: Latvia
Event: Latvia Declares State of Emergency until January 11, 2022 and Introduces Strict Lockdown until November 14, 2021.
The U.S. Embassy Riga continues to monitor the rapidly changing conditions due to COVID-19 in Latvia and in other locations worldwide. The most current information regarding the impact of COVID-19 may be found at our COVID Information Page.
On October 8 and October 21, the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia announced a state of emergency until January 11, 2022 and introduced a strict lockdown and curfew until November 14, 2021. For the full announcement, please visit https://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/article/concerning-declaration-state-emergency-and-epidemiological-safety-measures-latvia and https://www.mk.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/nosacijumi-tirdzniecibai-no-sg-21-oktobra-lidz-14-novembrim.
Curfew
Everyone present in Latvia must stay inside his or her place of residence nightly from 8 pm until 5 am from October 21 – November 14, inclusive. Anyone needing to travel for work or emergency reasons during curfew hours must do the following:
- Carry valid photo identification document (passport, residential card, etc.)
- Fill in, print and carry a self-certification form found on the State Police website at https://www.vp.gov.lv/lv/pasapliecinajums-un-parvietosanas-ierobezojumi. The completed self-certification form must be presented at the request of the State or municipal police.
Services/ Public gathering:
- Only essential businesses may operate from 6 AM until 7 PM (grocery stores, hygiene stores, pharmacies, veterinarians, bookstores, flower shops, optics stores, gas stations, pet food, press outlets and telecoms sales/service). Other businesses are suspended during this period.
- Sport gyms, beauty salons, cinemas, entertainment venues, libraries, museums, art galleries are closed.
- No private gatherings are permitted, with the exception of funerals and baptism. No more than 20 guests may gather for an outdoor funeral ceremony, excluding the service providers. No more than 10 individuals from no more than two households may gather for a baptism, excluding the individuals performing the baptism. .
- All public events, meetings or gatherings are suspended.
- Restaurants may operate only for takeaway and delivery from 6 AM until 7 PM. No indoor dining is permitted.
Travel:
- No new travel restrictions are introduced during this lockdown period, all ports of entries (airport, sea ports, train, bus stations) remain open.
- Currently valid rules:
On September 1, new regulations for travelers entering Latvia went into effect. The new regulations permit vaccinated travelers who can present either a US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) paper vaccine certificate, an interoperable digital EU certificate (either in an electronic smart device or printed out) or a vaccination certificate issued in specific other countries including the EU, the EEA countries, Switzerland or the United Kingdom to enter Latvia for nonessential purposes without a negative COVID test or requiring self-isolation.
Please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the full announcement.
All travelers to Latvia are still 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. 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.
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.
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.
