Latvia’s government’s updated regulations on halting the spread of Covid-19, which, among other things, make vaccination compulsory for certain professions, is a legitimate way to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in the country, said ombudsman Juris Jansons in an interview to Latvijas Radio on 30 September.
According to Jansons, the government needs to take steps to find a legitimate way to reduce the spread of Covid-19. New regulations may be the way to go. According to him, the government has picked a legitimate model under which Covid-19 certificates are requested from people who work in close contact with other people.
Jansons notes that the Labour Law already includes norms under which employers have a duty to provide employees with a safe work environment.
Nevertheless, there are still challenges ahead in the form of employees’ refusal to vaccinate. The issue of appropriate response from the employer remains open.
The Ombudsman Bureau receives different complaints regarding compulsory vaccination from education workers. Some complaints have been received from the healthcare sector as well.
The ombudsman admits vaccination coverage in Latvia is so low it cannot be compared to countries that are already lifting restrictions, because the percentage of vaccinated people is so high there.
Jansons notes the new Covid-19 regulations are so massive, the government may need to explain everything even more so that people are kept well-informed of the changes and what is expected of them.
Ombudsman: new regulations are a legitimate way to help reduce the spread of Covid-19
