Latvia welcomes repatriation flights from Oslo, Frankfurt and Amsterdam

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On Wednesday, April 22 Rīga International Airport will welcome three special repatriation flights from Oslo, Frankfurt and Amsterdam, carrying around 360 Latvian residents, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Very soon, when the announced flights have ended, we'll see how many of those we know of haven't been able to use the opportunity to return. And depending on unfolding events we'll be able to plan an additional flight,” said ministry representative Jānis Beķeris.

Since the state of emergency was declared and travel restrictions were implemented to limit the spread of the Covid-19 novel coronavirus, more than 4,000 people have managed to return to Latvia on special repatriation flights, and an additional 300 have asked for assistance in returning to the country. The majority include travelers, and the rest are people who have been living abroad for an extended period of time, but have been left without a social security net, according Beķeris.

“We've had problems with India, because it's very hard to travel around there – around 40 people are stuck. But now it looks like we've found a solution for everyone to return home. Indonesia was also a popular destination, but the majority have also successfully returned from there,” said Beķeris.

As previously reported, in accordance with the March 12 emergency measures adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers, Transport Minister Tālis Linkaits (New Conservative Party) can create exceptions by granting permission for international transport while transport through airports, sea ports, and via bus and rail is forbidden. The minister made the decisions individually, assessing each information after receiving request applications.

The current state of emergency has been extended to May 12, but if you still require consular assistance from Latvia, there is a 24-hour helpline: +371 26337711, as well as an email address: [email protected]. More information is also available on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as the Transport Ministry's website.
 

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