The government agreed in advance that almost all restrictions imposed on Covid-19 should be removed from April 1. Last week, Covid-19 spread reduced significantly, and hospitals also have fewer patients, said Health Minister Daniels Pavļuts. It is planned that the Covid-19 certificate requirement would remain in a few areas, and there are still discussions on wearing masks. The State also plans to reduce the amount of paid tests and switch to professional antigen tests, said the Minister for Health.
Covid-19 certificates should be waived in all sectors, believes Egils Baldzēns, head of the Latvian Free Trade Union (LBAS).
“For example, in Lithuania, the Parliament decided in January that medics are not required to [carry certificates], nor do they need it. Since we have to move in the same direction, one of the things behind our economies was tightening restrictions during the pandemic. In Lithuania and Estonia, they were lighter and, despite this, they have been quicker out of the Covid-19 crisis. Estonia has also abolished these certificates almost everywhere," Baldzēns said.
As the discussions continue, there are many contradictions. However, the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) wishes to maintain the requirement for educators for certificates of vaccination or recovery by the end of this academic year.
Final decisions on conditions due to Covid-19 are expected at the government meeting on Tuesday.
