COVID-19 Information

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COVID-19 Information

Last updated: 17 December 2020

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.  Restaurants are limited to take-out and delivery only.  On Saturday and Sunday only grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and veterinary services are open. Religious services are limited to 20% occupancy.  In-person learning is limited to classes 1-4.  Classes 5-12 and universities are virtual.  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. Quarantine-free entry is available to travelers arriving from a list of countries which is evaluated weekly.

    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 14 days after the leaving the specific country.
      • 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?  No
    • 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?  No
    • 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.

    COVID-19 Testing:

    • For getting tested for Covid-19:please call 8303 on weekdays from 8 AM to 8 PM, on Saturdays from 9 AM to 3 PM and on Sundays from 9 AM to 12 PM.
    • Individuals with Severe Symptoms: please call emergency 113.
    • A hotline for COVID-19 questions: 8345
    • The general physician hotline: 6601 6001 is available 24/7 for all medical issues except for COVID-19.

    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 travelling to the place of self-isolation.  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).
      • 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 quarantine requirement may be subject to a fine.

    Consular Operations:

    • The U.S. Embassy Riga has resumed scheduling limited in-person passport application, CRBA appointments, and other services as needed.  American citizens should contact us at  askconsular-riga@state.gov if assistance is needed.
    • The U.S. Embassy Riga has resumed certain non-immigrant visa services including processing C1/D, E, F, J and M visas.  More information can be found  here.
    • 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 | 17 December, 2020 | Topics: Alert

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