Newcomers from third countries with a positive Covid-19 test will have to isolate themselves in a hotel / Article / LSM.lv

The government decided on Friday that immigrants from third countries in Latvia will have to go to a hotel for 10 days in self-isolation if the Covid-19 test performed after arrival is positive.

Both the test and the hotel will have to be paid for by the visitor.

Ministers had extensive discussions on two options proposed by the Ministry of Economics:

• self-insulation in the hotel;
• self-insulation in a hotel, if after the Covid-19 test it is positive (also in case of a negative test you have to go in self-insulation, but in your own home).

Describing the situation, the Ministry of Economy informed that there are six charter flights from Vilnius to Egypt and one to Tenerife every week. There are four weekly charter flights from Tallinn to Egypt and one to Tenerife. Reservations for the above-mentioned flights are also made by Latvian citizens – a total of approximately 500 people.

Health Minister Daniels Pavļuts (“For Development / For!”) Emphasized that all visitors should go to the hotel in self-isolation, taking into account the risk of introducing new varieties of Covid-19.

The Center for Disease Prevention and Control pointed out that during the last three weeks, the number of Covid-19 cases imported from abroad has increased in Latvia – a total of 80 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 infection after returning from abroad. Epidemiologists have found that the patients have returned from holidays in several exotic countries, such as the Dominican Republic, Zanzibar, Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates.

Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs (“New Unity”) took part in the discussion that in the past, when self-isolation in hotels was mandatory after repatriation flights, it was difficult to control people. In a situation with more people, this would be even more difficult. He therefore stressed that he was against the first option.

The Minister of the Interior Sandis Ģirģens (“KPV LV” faction) was also against the first option in order not to motivate people to continue using neighboring countries for travel. Gergens emphasized that it is easier to control immigrants at the airport than at the borders with neighboring countries.

CONTEXT:

On Tuesday it was accepted that flights to third countries will be allowed to improve epidemiological controls, as people did not respect travel restrictions when traveling through neighboring countries where flights to third countries are not banned. Insignificant trips are still not allowed, and there is still a requirement for a negative Covid-19 test on entry, as well as filling in “Covidpass.lv”.

The LTV program “Forbidden Method” has already reported that, although the Latvian government is calling on its citizens refrain from unimportant travelIn order to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading, many are ignoring this call, and travel agencies also continue to offer trips to third countries.

In order to slow down the spread of the new strains of Covid-19, the government has until the end of the emergency – on April 6 – extended the ban foreigners, including holders of temporary residence permits, to enter Latvia for non-essential reasons. Previously, such a restriction was imposed from 11 January to 25. February.

–