Vaccinated travelers will not be required a Covid-19 test

Take note – story published 3 years ago

As of January 15, a negative Covid-19 test result will have to be presented for entry into Latvia. At the same time, there are exceptions, including those who have received the required doses of Covid-19 vaccine, the Ministry of Transport said January 14.

In order to enter Latvia through an international passenger carrier, such as an aircraft, a negative Covid-19 test result will be required. A doctor's statement, a statement of the presence of antibodies or another medical document certifying it will be required.

  • The Covid-19 test must be performed no more than 72 hours prior to boarding the vehicle of the carrier or crossing the Latvian border if traveling via private transport.
  • The test must be recognized and valid in the country from which the person is leaving.
  • It must be presented in printed form or electronically (on smart device) to a carrier, otherwise the person will be denied boarding.
  • The test result or statement may be in English, French, German, Russian or if using a carrier, also in the language of the country from which the person travels to Latvia. If the statement is presented to the State Border Guard or the State Police when entering Latvia from Estonia and Lithuania, it may also be in Lithuanian or Estonian language.
  • The condition that a 10-day self-isolation must be observed after entry from abroad remains unchanged.

Also those who plan to transit through Latvia to another country must have proof of a negative Covid-19 test result..

Commercial carriers are given the opportunity to continue their business within the framework already in force and commercial carriers are not required to present a negative Covid-19 test when entering Latvia. This applies to service members of transport service provider, including courier services, passenger, cargo or technical services, who will cross the border of Latvia while on duty.in the performance of their duties, in transit to or from another country. 

Nor will the additional safety measures apply to sailors who are required to travel on duty.

There are defined groups of persons who do not need to perform the Covid-19 test on arrival in Latvia:

  • children under 11 years of age;
  • persons who have received the required doses of Covid-19 vaccine;
  • delegations, diplomats and their family members, diplomatic couriers;
  • aircraft passengers who are in transit through Latvia and do not leave the airport control area;
  • border residents who need to cross borders on a daily basis due to the needs of work, education, etc. and who can produce a statement of employment or education. This would apply, for example, directly to the residents of Valka and Valga, who regularly cross the border of Latvia-Estonia due to their daily needs.

Latvian nationals for whom the Covid-19 test is positive will be able to return to Latvia with private road transport. Quarantine must be observed by these persons.

The Ministry of Transport also calls for a thorough consideration of the need to travel and to familiarize oneself with other countries' security measures.

Seen a mistake?

Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editor

Select text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editor

Related articles

More

Most important