To prevent the entry and the spread of the new and potentially more contagious Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus in Latvia, the government has decided to shut down travel to and from multiple African countries.
From now on it is not allowed to enter Latvia from the following African countries: South African Republic, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Malawi.
The entry ban does not apply to Latvian citizens or EU residents with a Latvia residence permit.
Latvian citizens or EU residents who have stayed in any of the aforementioned countries in the last 10 days have a duty to:
present a Covid-19 RNA test result performed 72 hours prior to entering Latvia;
undergo a Covid-19 RNA test as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours to 8 days of entering Latvia;
self-isolate for 10 days at a tourist accommodation after returning from any of the aforementioned countries and inform the tourist accommodation of having arrived from a high-risk country and of their duty to self-isolate.
Read also: WHO: Covid’s Omikron variant – serious global health risk, as analysis continues
If a person who arrives in Latvia from any of the aforementioned country and fails to self-isolate, members of the household who came into contact with this person are to self-isolate for 10 days.
Travel to and from the aforementioned African countries is also prohibited in Latvia.
Latvia shuts down travel to and from multiple African countries
