It will be used by people who urgently need to return, so tickets to this flight are not available freely.
Returning Latvian nationals will have to do a mandatory COVID-19 test after arrival and observe ten days' self-isolation in a state-appointed and paid-for hotel, said Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs (“New Unity”).
"We want, first of all, to repatriate people who have serious legal, humane or social reasons. For example, you have to come to Latvia because the legal status of staying in Britain ends because of Brexit. This will have to be proven by documents. People with social care problems and those who have travelled for work will also be able to use this flight. A decision on which people will be included in the list to be repatriated will be taken by the relevant consul in our embassy in liaison with the Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," the Minister told Latvian Radio.
Foreign Ministry's press secretary Jānis Beķeris told Latvian Television that around 50 people have purchased tickets for this flight.
Tickets to the flight Rīga-London on December 28 at 15:30 will only be available to British citizens and persons who have their permanent residence in the United Kingdom. Around 100 tickets have been purchased, said Beķeris.
Another repatriation flight to Tallinn will take place December 29, and around ten Latvian nationals will arrive on that flight.
News of the spread of the new strain of coronavirus in the UK led many countries, including Latvia, to decide to stop traffic with the UK.
