He said suspending passenger traffic with the United Kingdom will slow it down but not prevent it. According to Dumpis, not much is yet known about the new strain but it shouldn't change the situation much. World Health Organization has also said it is not more dangerous than the existing one.
Dumpis said that people in Latvia should use the holidays to "finally stop". He suggested reading books, watching films, going out in nature, and staying in one's household.
COVID-19 infection rates do not go down because people keep moving around, crowding in stores and meeting one another. It would be better to meet outside while observing the distance but that is not desirable either.
"We need to make it through these three weeks. Better keep to one's own household," said Dumpis.
He said the coronavirus will keep impacting our lives the next year but the vaccines might make it possible to live with minimal restrictions, like it was in the summer.
