Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Riga, Latvia (January 8, 2021)
Location: Latvia
Event: Latvia Extends Restrictions and Curfew and Requires a Negative COVID-19 Test to Enter Latvia. 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 Thursday, January 7, the Cabinet of Ministers extended the previously announced restrictions and curfew until January 25, 2021 and the requirement of a negative COVID-19 test for all arriving visitors beginning on January 15, 2021. For the full announcement, please visit: https://mk.gov.lv/lv/aktualitates/lidz-25-janvarim-pagarina-drosibas-pasakumus-covid-19-ierobezosanai.
From January 12 until January 25 updated restrictions include the following:
Education:
- The winter break for grades 1 – 4 was extended to January 22
- Distance learning for grades 5 – 12 will continue from January 11
Culture
- Libraries will offer a take-away book service
Services/ Shopping
- Only grocery stores, pet stores, pharmacies, gas stations and hygiene supply stores may remain open. For an updated list of goods available for purchase please visit https://www.vm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/lidz-25-janvarim-pagarina-drosibas-pasakumus-covid-19-ierobezosanai.
Health Care
Inpatient medical treatment in hospitals is suspended for most services. For more details on which services remain available, please see our December 23 health alert here. For further details on healthcare restrictions please visit: https://www.vm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/uz-laiku-visas-slimnicas-ierobezos-planveida-stacionaros-pakalpojumus and https://www.vm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/covid-19-izplatibas-del-ari-pec-4-janvara-slimnicas-bus-ierobezoti-planveida-stacionarie-pakalpojumi-stingrakas-prasibas-ambulatorajiem-pakalpojumiem.
Curfew
The curfew has been extended during the weekends through January 25, 2021. Every Friday and Saturday, those present in Latvia must stay inside his/her place of residence nightly from 10 pm until 5 am. Those found not following the curfew are subject to be fined between 100 and 2000 euros. For more details on the curfew please see our December 30 Health Alert here.
Travelers to Latvia
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 except for the following:
- Individuals who have been vaccinated against COVID-19
- Crew members going to or from their place of work
- Transit passengers who do not leave the controlled area of an airport
- Representatives of the diplomatic corps
- Residents who cross the border daily for work, education, or similar needs and can provide proof of employment or education.
More information is available at: https://mk.gov.lv/en/aktualitates/entering-latvia-will-be-possible-only-presenting-negative-covid-19-test-january-15.
Travelers are required to fill out and complete the electronic form at https://covidpass.lv/en/ at least 48 hours 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.
Resumption of International Passenger Transport
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 will resume on January 15, 2021.
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.
