“Forgive other industries, we will first seek opportunities to open schools for at least the young pupils”, Health Minister Daniels Pavļuts said on LTV.
The Minister said that Latvia currently has the fifth highest incidence rate in Europe. The cumulative incidence rate of 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants exceeds 560, while on average in Europe it is 425.
“Of course we have to do something differently, because the infection rate is not diminishing, obviously we are doing something that promotes it - go to work without masks, go visit others,” said Pavļuts.
He said that he understood that many have lost their patience because the limits have already been in place for a long time. However, it is clear that the virus will remain for a long time, it will not end this summer, so work is ongoing on the possibility of gradually setting requirements for the safe recovery of the various activities in the sector, explained the minister.
He said that significant changes could be made when the incidence rate is below 200, but it is currently above 560. Therefore, it is only possible to take small steps at the moment.
The Ministry of Health is also working with specialists in the beauty sector so that the sector can resume activities safely, as has been working with the sports and education sector, the retail sector, “we have become the ministry of all sectors”, said the Minister.