Latvian Health Minister says even more rules could be imposed

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If people in Latvia do not follow the limits of COVID-19 and the spread of infection does not decrease, it may be necessary to decide on even stricter restrictions, Health Minister Ilze Viņķele told Latvian Television November 16.

According to the Minister, the attitudes of Latvian residents towards COVID-19 have changed significantly compared to spring, people are moving around much more, the whole family goes shopping.

Sociological polls show many people no longer consider COVID-19 a serious disease, the Minister said.

She said that if this trend continues, the only option would be, for example, to close more stores, like elsewhere in Europe, where only grocery stores and pharmacies work.

The Cabinet will meet on Tuesday, November 17, in a joint meeting with the Crisis Management Board to analyze the epidemiological situation as well as reports from services, including police.

It is possible that the limits may need to be tightened.

The Minister for Health said that, for example, Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš was prepared to decide on the transition of all schools to remote learning. Stores might also be subject to additional limits. It is still possible to impose more stringent assembly restrictions, like, for example, in Austria, where people will not be allowed to be outside their homes without serious justification.

The Minister explained that she would be prepared to vote on such restrictions if epidemiologists recommended it, but education professionals' views would also be heard.

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