In a press conference following the meeting of the Cabinet, Health Minister Ilze Viņķele said that the Latvian society is very responsible and understanding, thus the country can function in the same way as it was before COVID-19.
“It affects our movement outside the country. Just because society is so conscious, we could take a step that reduces the number of days of self-isolation for fellow people returning from abroad,” Viņķele said. The Minister pointed out that such a decision would also boost economic activity.
The head of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC), Jurijs Perevoščikovs, said that the disease was new and that standards could be revised. “A number of countries are looking for solutions to achieve a result and a lower burden with minimal public health losses. It turns out that the highest number of people get sick in the first 10 days. After day 10, there is a very small number of those with symptoms,” Perevoščikovs said.
However, the 14-day self-isolation requirement will continue to apply to persons who have been in contact with COVID-19 infected people. The 14-day requirement will also continue to apply to professionals whose work involves people, such as medics, education workers and social care workers.
Viņķele stressed that such a decision was based on the evidence of the most current studies.
