Latvia to replace lockdown with softer Covid-19 restrictions

Riga, Nov 9 (EFE).- Latvian prime minister Krisjanis Karins said Tuesday that the Baltic country’s government had decided to end its Covid-19 lockdown on November 15, citing a “break” in the rate of infections.

The lockdown was first implemented on October 22.

Karins said the strict measure would be replaced with softer restrictions that will allow those with vaccination certificates or proof that they have overcome the disease to shop at most retailers and attend indoor and outdoor events that were temporarily suspended.

Shops will be permitted to remain open for an extra two hours until 9pm.

The end of the lockdown also brings a close to the nightly curfew between 8pm-5am.

School students will from November 15 be allowed to return to class, although must abide by social distancing rules and avoid mixing with students from different class groups.

Speaking to journalists after Tuesday’s government meeting, health minister Daniels Pavluts said: “We have broken the curve but the spread of the illness is worse than last year at this time. We remain in a high infection and high risk zone.”

The minister spoke after Latvian health authorities announced that 1,451 new Covid-19 infections and 46-related deaths had been detected on Tuesday.

At the same time, the Latvian Center for Disease Prevention and Control reported that 87% of the 533 people who died of Covid-19 in October were unvaccinated. EFE

jkz/jt