As of 12 May restrictions will be eased in the areas of education, sports, various events and gatherings, transportation, and tourism.

Social distancing still in force

Strict adherence to all physical distancing and epidemiological safety measures on a daily basis in all areas will continue to be a prerequisite for reducing these restrictions.

Education

In the area of education, all types of learning processes will continue to take place remotely. It will also be possible to organize non-contact sports trainings or classes in person, subject to the rules.

The current restrictions allow admission in higher education institutions of Latvia to proceed, although there may be delays or application deadlines can be subject for extension. Therefore always before applying it is advisable to check the latest updates on the website of the chosen university. 

Events and gatherings

After May 12, people will be allowed to gather indoors and outdoors for both public and private events, but their number should not exceed 25, and people should keep at least two meters distance. Indoor events will have a time limit of 3 hours, the length of outdoor events is not limited. Suitable disinfectants will also need to be available for events to proceed. 

The first cultural institutions to gradually reopen after 12 May are museums, libraries, the National Archives and private cultural sites such as cinemas or concert halls. 

Museums, libraries and archives will start operating gradually as soon as each institution is fully able to meet the requirements set out in the sanitary protocol.

Leisure and entertainment venues, including restaurants, will be able to open from 07:00 until midnight.

Public and private sports events, organized in accordance with the Law on Safety of Public Entertainment and Festivity Events, will not be permitted.

Face coverings in public transport 

People using public transport will be required to cover nose and mouth, though it need not necessarily be a medical face mask – any fabric face coverings (scarves, handkerchiefs) could be used as well.

Sports activities

Non-contact sports training will be permitted, too, subject to regulations. Sports events will be allowed if a number of precautionary measures will be followed. Instructions of the manager of the sports venue and the coach should be followed. 

Tourism

Travel and tourism services will also be permitted, but only within the three Baltic states from May 15. Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia will open their borders to each others’ citizens from May 15, creating a Baltic “travel bubble” within the European Union amid an easing of pandemic restrictions. The Baltic travel area would be first of its kind in the bloc. More information here. 

As previously reported, in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the state of emergency initially was declared for a time period of March 13 until April 14. Then it was extended to May 12.

More information

• Detailed information about new regulations at the webpage of the Cabinet of Ministers. 
• Visit dedicated official COVID-19 website.
• For more information on health care and precautions, visit the website of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
• Persons in need of consular assistance can call the Consular Department on the emergency number: +371 26337711 or email: palidziba@mfa.gov.lv.  
• Hotline for Covid-19 related inquiries (24 hours, 7 days a week) - 8345.