On Thursday, 27 May, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to ease restrictions on gathering, visiting recreation and entertainment venues, and working for people who have either been vaccinated against Covid-19 or have recovered from the virus, while also providing an electronic certificate system for the verification of this status. In addition, children’s camps and graduations from educational institutions will be allowed to take place on site, subject to special safety measures.
Children’s camps
From 14 June, various types of children’s camps will be allowed to take place for groups of up to 20 participants, providing that they have tested negative for Covid-19 within 48 hours before the start of the camp. Camp staff must also have tested negative. For camps longer than a week, all staff and participants must be tested once a week during the camp. The groups and staff of children’s camps are not allowed to meet with other groups during the camp. Everyone at a one-day camp must wear a mouth and nose covering. Mouth and nose coverings are not required for 24-hour camps.
Graduations
The Cabinet has also approved amendments to Covid-19 safety measures in order to allow on-site graduations. They can be organised outdoors in a limited area for up to 2 hours and can be attended by up to 40 people - students and teachers but not guests. Guests may be present outside the limited event area. Taking breaks between graduations is advised to reduce the possibility of different graduate groups meeting and thus exposing each other to the risk of infection.
Fewer restrictions for vaccinated persons and persons recovered from Covid-19
The Cabinet has eased a number of restrictions for people who have either been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19. In order to prove that a person has been vaccinated or has recovered from the virus, a certificate confirming the recovery, vaccination, or, in some cases, a test (QR code), will have to be presented. It will be available for download on the www.covid19sertifikats.lv website or in paper form at municipality customer service centres. The system is scheduled to launch on 1 June.
From 1 June, individual service providers who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 or have recovered from the virus will be allowed to work on site. In order to prevent hairdressers, manicure and pedicure professionals, and podiatrists from having to interrupt the provision of services, the vaccination must be completed by 1 September 2021.
From 15 June, more restrictions are planned to be eased on gatherings and receiving services for people who have recovered from Covid-19 or have been vaccinated. The list approved by the Cabinet stipulates that, upon presentation of a certificate, it will be possible to participate in public outdoor and indoor events, visit sports clubs, restaurants, film concerts, and receive other services in person without wearing masks or having to observe physical distancing.
Support will be available for longer
With the still relatively high prevalence and risk of the Covid-19 infection, including in households, as well as the spread of new virus strains, in order to limit the spread of Covid-19 within households, the Cabinet has decided to extend the accommodation- support programme for individuals with a confirmed Covid-19 infection, as well as their contact persons, until 30 June 2021.
At the Cabinet meeting on 27 May, the working capital grant programme for companies affected by Covid-19 was also extended by one month, at the same time allocating additional funding for supporting entrepreneurs, reducing the amount of support, and changing several other conditions for receiving it. Amendments to the support programme will enter into force after their approval by the European Commission.
Two more support programmes for businesses affected by Covid-19 have been extended until 30 June, in order to compensate for the fall in rental income and the decline in the turnover of shopping centres and sports centres due to measures introduced for limiting the spread of the virus.