In the days when the government had already declared its readiness to limit the spread of Covid-19 in the country and declared disagreements in the public sphere between the head of government and health ministers, several political parties, both within and outside the ruling coalition, made proposals to Covid-19. 19 crisis.
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Although published in the mass media various informal information on the forthcoming restrictions, Thursday Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (JV) and the Minister of Finance Jānis Reirs (JV) refrained from predicting exactly what decisions would be made on Friday.
Friday, November 6, when Cabinet of Ministers gathered for a joint meeting with the Crisis Management Council to decide on the need to declare a state of emergency, the National Union issued a statement calling on the Cabinet to “halt migration from abroad to limit the spread of Covid-19 virus and not impose very strict restrictions locally”.
“We have long emphasized the need to restrict the entry of people from the countries affected by the virus, as this allows the infection to spread further in Latvia. In the spring, we had already defeated the virus and Latvia’s fight against the virus was considered successful. But ill-considered and slow decisions have exacerbated the situation to an unprecedented spread of infection, “the National The Saeima Member Jānis Dombrava.
In the opinion of the National Association, the government has so far not been sufficiently aware of the importance of the threat from the spread of Covid-19 in Latvia from other countries that have been more affected by the infection and from which people continue to enter. “On Thursday evening, a professor and an infectologist also pointed out this aspect on Latvian Television Uga Dumpis, who said that European countries have also realized that travel is one of the main causes of the outbreak, so the threat of migration should be taken more seriously, “the press release said.
Your ideas for the green
Also Latvian Green Party (LZP) issued an appeal to Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (JV) on Friday morning. Recent events in the government, particularly the sharp communication between the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health, as well as the statement by Chief Infectious Disease Professor Uga Dumpy about the government’s lack of concern about the threat of Covid-19 imports from abroad, have raised public concern about the country’s ability to coordinate the situation. LZP.
“The epidemiological situation is getting worse every day, the new coronovirus has started to spread uncontrollably in the society, so the Latvian Green Party calls on the Prime Minister to take control of health care or resign. in the fight against the coronovirus Covid-19, but also in the provision of health care in general, “the press release said.
Therefore, LZP calls on Prime Minister Kariņš to take full responsibility for health monitoring, demanding the resignation of Minister Hänķe, as well as to immediately start working on a unified, clear Covid-19 crisis management plan, which should be presented to both the Saeima and the entire society. opposition proposals, because only together will we be able to deal with this crisis.
In order to stabilize the situation, LZP calls on the government to take immediate action – to establish a single crisis management center, inviting medical and economic professionals; to provide additional funds in the budget for attracting and motivating doctors to overcome the health crisis caused by Covid-19; take over large state-owned hotels during the crisis, adapting them as far as possible to the treatment and care of Covid-19 patients, so that no extra beds are needed in tents or halls.
LZP also calls for the planned tax reform to be suspended until the end of the Covid-19 crisis; to review the state budget for 2021 and remove activities that are not a primary necessity; to fix equal salaries for public administration employees and suspended business sectors for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis; to carry out centralized, government-controlled procurement of face masks, respirators, protective clothing and medicines by establishing a separate procurement commission, which would also include representatives of the State Audit Office and granting the commission extraordinary powers.
The party also calls for the establishment of a food and basic goods support mechanism for the poorest and most vulnerable members of society; raise the 2021 budget deficit by borrowing on international markets by issuing additional bonds. For the funds obtained, immediately implement immediate economic heating programs and start implementing a financial support program for the population in difficulty.
More support is needed
The day before, on November 5, the party “Progressive“The announcement that the Saeima must adopt more courageous measures to support the well – being of the population, when the government must not make the mistakes that were seen in the spring, when it is decided to declare a state of emergency on Friday.
“When declaring a repeated state of emergency, the Saeima must not ignore the economic reality of the population.” Progressive “advocates supporting the population by implementing downtime support in all areas, ensuring a guaranteed minimum level of social support Advance payments in the form of employment, and in particular in the light of the spring experience in large national companies, it should be stipulated that companies must involve trade unions in crisis management decisions.
“In order to create new jobs and protect existing ones, Latvia must use all possible means to invest in priority sectors. Additional investments must be made in the health sector in addition to the budgeted 25% wage increase, highlighting preventive medicine and care to prevent people from being hospitalized. and medical support staff, as well as increased support for mental health professionals to mitigate the effects of an emergency, and access to psychological counseling and quality psychotherapeutic services needs to be expanded, with little investment in both mental health problems and access for people who cannot. afford to pay tens of euros per hour for a therapist ‘s visit, “says Progressive.
“The government must not allow banks and fast credit institutions to live at the expense of people’s despair. Citizens must be able to defer not only loan principal but also interest payments, eliminating the risks of deeper inequality. To help Latvia’s most vulnerable people, the government must decide on increased pensions and guaranteed minimum income. (GMI), a possible freeze on utility bills for state and municipal companies, a freeze on rent arrears and a ban on evictions, “the party said.
The Progressive believe that “government action poses risks and preconditions for a resurgence of extremely populist policies. At these crossroads, we have a duty to choose a better direction, the Nordic prosperity. If another phase of emergency awaits us over the weekend, we call on the government to use this time to make bold, serious investments in the people of Latvia, in wider social support and in our common future “.
Bordāns and Urbanovičs have already warned
Delphi has already reported that New Conservative Parties leader Jānis Bordāns Already on October 27, he emphasized to his coalition partners that the growing number of Covid-19 infected in Lithuania is a strong incentive for Latvia to take decisive action to limit the spread of the virus, and at the same time it is necessary to adhere to the principle of stricter restrictions.
Mr Bordan emphasized to colleagues that the state must be just as decisive in supporting its citizens and businesses that are experiencing financial stress due to the restrictions imposed. Accordingly, the Minister believes that the task of the government in this crisis is to give the people a sense of security, so the state must have a specific action plan.
“People need to be sure that the restrictions of the pandemic will not deprive them of homes and have something to put on the table. Businesses at risk need to see mechanisms to stay afloat. We need to be aware of the reality that people who are running low are forced to “Children go to school so that only they can work on their own – even if it is a significant health risk. Without state support, any restrictions will be expected with the resistance of the people,” said Bordans.
Consequently, Bordāns called on the government’s partners to work actively in several directions, for example, establishing a moratorium on insolvency applications. This procedure was in force until September 1 of this year. Accordingly, the Minister calls for a return.
The Minister of Justice is also urging the resumption of downtime benefits for those sectors most affected by the restrictions introduced in the last month, such as organizers of children’s extracurricular activities.
Bordan also highlighted the need to increase the number of beds in hospitals for Covid-19 patients, as well as to increase the number of available tests.
On social issues, Bordan calls for the suspension of institutions that do not add value during a crisis situation, such as visits to gambling halls.
On the other hand, in the economy, the Minister called on colleagues to consider the possibility of determining that the minimum wage is not subject to personal income tax.
“In the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Latvia has provided much less financial repercussions for its people than the other Baltic states. We must do what is right and fair,” Bordans emphasized to the other ministers.
It has also already been reported that on 28 October “Harmony” leader Jānis Urbanovičs addressed Karin in an open letter, writing that “given the gravity of the situation, we believe that the government you lead should immediately exercise the rights granted by law and declare a state of emergency in the country”.
Urbanovičs expressed the opinion that the situation with the spread of Covid-19 in Latvia is becoming more and more serious, but “in Latvia at the moment it seems that the government is not only unable to meet its own needs and provide the population with basic protection – nasal and oral protection. but also no serious sustainable strategy for curbing the spread of Covid-19 “.
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