The Prime Minister Krišjānis Karins (“New Unity”) announced after the meeting that the government supported the Welfare Ministry's proposal that if the COVID-19 situation requires children under ten years of age to learn remotely, the child's parent will be able to receive a state-paid sick leave.
"We made the decision to provide support to parents with small children who, due to COVID-19 restrictions, cannot attend school in person and are forced to be at home.
One of the parents will be able to get a sick leave, support, looking after a child under 10 at home," Prime Minister said.
Minister for Health Ilze Vinķele said: "This aid will apply to those parents who might be forced to stay at home due to restrictions in more affected municipalities."
Welfare Ministry (LM) explained that while COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly, certain pre-primary education institutions are closed and learning in the general education program is organized remotely. As a result, in a number of families with children aged from one year to ten, or a disabled child under 18 and where parents are not able to work remotely due to the specific nature of their work, there is a need for support for childcare.
Amendments to the law will still have to be approved by the Saeima.
