State of emergency declared in Latvia; major restrictions for non-vaccinated people

Latvian government has declared a state of emergency for three months. This means multiple epidemiological restrictions come to force in the country.
It is planned that persons who are neither vaccinated for Covid-19 not have recovered from the infection will be allowed to shop only in stores that sell first-necessity goods. This means these people will not be allowed to enter places like supermarkets. The government has also decided to limit vaccinated people at green or safe environment events with additional epidemiological restrictions. This means they have to wear protective masks and maintain distance from other participants. Organizers of events are also obligated to appoint a special worker who will monitor people’s compliance with restrictions.
Stores people who do not have a valid Covid-19 certificate include food stores, pharmacies, optician stores, animal feed stores, stores that sell printed press, stores selling hygiene goods, telecommunication stores and petrol stations. In these locations it will be necessary to provide each person 25 m2 of space.
In a safe regime, it will be necessary to provide each person 15 m2 of space.
Only food stores, pharmacies, optician stores, animal feed stores, stores selling printed press, stores selling hygiene goods and telecommunication service stores will be allowed to remain open in supermarkets on weekends and holidays. Only cobblers and dry cleaners will be allowed to provide services on weekends and holidays.
At the same time, all people employed in the public and private sector are urged to work remotely whenever possible.
Epidemiological restrictions will be in place in the education sector as well. Although children will be allowed to continue going to school, hobby groups will be severely limited. Teachers and students, regardless of education level, will need to wear protective masks indoors. Covid-19 testing will be done at least once a week.
During the state of emergency no out-of-school activities, such as excursions and museum visits, will be organized.
Restrictions are also expected for the culture and entertainment sector – during the state of emergency culture events will be allowed only with a smaller number of participants. In accordance with the agreement reached by the Crisis Management Council, culture events will be allowed only in the green regime with compulsory use of protective masks and limited number of participants (60% of capacity).