On Tuesday, July 6, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 360 “Epidemiological safety measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 infection” (regulations), which envisages providing persons entering the Republic of Latvia crossing the external land border with an immediate opportunity to perform Covid-19 testing at four border crossing points - “Grebneva”, “Terehova”, "Pāternieki" and "Silene".
The decision was taken because of the rapid spread of the new type of the most contagious virus Covid-19 (Delta).
Currently, the regulations stipulate that a person entering the Republic of Latvia from the respective country shall immediately, but no later than within 24 hours, perform the Covid-19 test at his own expense, determining the SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA at the nearest available testing point. At the border crossing points - "Grebņeva", "Terehova", "Pāternieki" and "Silene" test, immigrants will have to perform at their own expense.
Due to trends in the prevalence of the most contagious type of Covid-19 virus (Delta), extensive testing is essential. The persons who have carried out the Covid-19 test at the crossing point will also await the result on the territory of that site. Only after the presentation of the results of the Covid-19 test to the State Border Guard and after the permit given thereto, persons will be able to leave the territory of the border crossing point.
The tests will not be carried out on persons who can show a valid Covid-19 certificate of vaccination, disease meant, or Covid-19 test, as well as children under 12 years of age.
In case the Covid-19 test is positive or if the person refuses to take the test, the Emergency Medical Service will take the person to the tourist accommodation for mandatory isolation.
In cases where Covid-19 is diagnosed, for example in the driver of a lorry or passenger transport, it is the responsibility of the carrier concerned to ensure that the issues arising from the transport in question are addressed.
Given the time needed to locate test points at the relevant border crossing points, the rules are expected to enter into force on 12 July 2021.
The amendments also envisage reducing the amount of information to be provided in the personal surveillance information system covidpass.lv, and this depends on whether the person has to observe self-isolation after entry. In this way, only the minimum required amount of information is stored in the system.
The amendments determine the minimum amount of information to be provided - name, surname, personal identification code, date of birth, travel document data, proof of the existence of a valid certificate of vaccination or illness.
Persons to whom self-isolation conditions apply must additionally indicate information on the type and time of the entry of the person into Latvia, the countries where the person was located and the person's contact information, including the address of residence in Latvia.
Prepared by:
Communications Department of the Ministry of the Interior