Head of the New Unity faction, Ainārs Latkovskis, told Latvian Radio that the heads of factions had agreed that the desired result, a larger proportion of the vaccinated population, can be achieved by other, positive means, since the draft law on compulsory vaccination in certain workplaces is surrounded by rumors and half-truths.
Levita piedāvātie 9 principi, uz kuriem būtu jābalstās Covid-19 apkarošanas un vakcinācijas politikai
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The leaders of the factions will meet again Thursday, September 2, to continue talks on improving the management of the pandemic.
After the discussion with Saeima faction leaders, the President of Latvia Egils Levits proposed nine principles that should be the basis of combating the pandemic (attached to this story in Latvian). The principles include voluntary vaccination, adequate restrictions to minimize risk to human health and to economy, and unified, meaningful communication with society.
Most of the principles are fairly vague assertions that the government shouldn't do more than necessary while doing what is necessary and bearing in mind that, sometimes exceptions will need to be made.
For example, as regards the right to dismiss employees who do not have a Covid-19 certificate, Levits' principles state that this issue must 'still be seriously discussed' and 'should be regarded as the last resort'.
In a statement to the media (full video in Latvian below) Levits emphasized the need to bring together decision-makers' views.
“The main thing is that I have succeeded in bringing together the views of the factions, so that we [..] don't pull the cart in all directions like in Krilov's fable, but agree on a common direction. And it seems to me that the factions, political forces represented in the Saeima are also serious and want to,” the President said.
