On Tuesday, the 5th of September, Latvia’s government supported the proposal to lift the Law on the Management of the Spread of Covid-19 Infection. However, the Ministry of Health has plans to preserve certain regulations in this law and integrate them into the Epidemiological Safety Law.
The transition rules of the Law on the Management of the Spread of Covid-19 Infection provide for maintaining this law for as long as there are epidemiological risks related to the possibility of the spread of Covid-19 infection. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a statement on the lifting of the global state of emergency. Therefore there is reason to declare the aforementioned law null and void in Latvia.
The Ministry of Health does believe it necessary to maintain certain regulations in place.
Because there are still places around the world in which Covid-19 vaccination certificates can be requested, the ministry believes the option for Latvian residents to receive such certificates should be kept. That way residents will be able to present them on demand for travel and job-related purposes. Because of this, it is suggested to move those regulations to the Epidemiological Safety Law.
Regulations that apply to diagnosing and reporting Covid-19 infection cases remain applicable to ensure there are no problems with statistical information compiled for Covid-19.
At the same time, the Ministry of Health notes that with the lifting of the Law on the Management of the Spread of Covid-19 Infection, it is still necessary to ensure uninterrupted functioning of VIVAT (unified vaccination network), because it could still prove necessary in the event of repeated Covid-19 vaccination measures. This is especially important for the upcoming autumn, when a repeated Covid-19 outbreak is possible and vaccination for risk groups will be needed.
Experience with this system shows it could be useful when providing other vaccination services for residents, especially with seasonal flu vaccination efforts.
At the same time, it is planned to include in the Epidemiological Safety Law regulations regarding the implementation of quarantine regime in prisons. This would apply to any potentially dangerous infection. The Ministry of Health explains that this solution is needed because various infections tend to spread rapidly and unexpectedly. Such situations require immediate action from prison wardens and the head of the Prison Administration.
The Ministry of Health also plans to expand certain patient rights. This includes giving patients the option to submit applications for patient rights protection to the State Agency of Medicines in situations when side-effects caused by Covid-19 cause serious or moderately serious health problems.
It is planned for the Law on the Management of the Spread of Covid-19 Infection and Cabinet of Ministers rules “Epidemiological Safety Measures for the Containment of the Spread of Covid-19 Infection” to remain in force until the 31st of December 2023.
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