Practical information for travelers to Latvia during covid-19 pandemic (OCT, 2021)
In order to curb the Covid-19 pandemic, the state of emergency in Latvia has been declared for a time period from October 11th until January 11th
Before arriving in Latvia everyone must fill in an electronic confirmation form on the covidpass.lv website. The certificate must be completed within 48 hours before crossing the border of Latvia. For minors, the form must be completed by the parent/legal representative.
If you can provide a valid digital Covid-19 certificate proving that you are vaccinated against Covid-19 or recovered from it: you don’t need to take the Covid-19 test if you’re returning from the EU, the EEA, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and low-risk third countries. The digital Covid-19 certificate must be issued in the EU Member States, EEA countries, Switzerland or the United Kingdom. If you can’t provide a valid digital Covid-19 certificate proving that you are vaccinated against Covid-19 or recovered from it: you need to take a PCR test 72 hours before entering Latvia or an antigen test taken not earlier than 48 hours before entering Latvia.
The latest list of countries, their current travel status, and the necessary epidemiological measures that apply is available here. Self-isolation is required for everyone if they arrive from a very high-risk country.
This page contains practical travel information for international travelers planning a visit to Latvia during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
- People must observe 2 meters distance (applies to both public indoor and public outdoor spaces).
- Only vaccinated people or people recovered from COVID-19 are allowed to take part in public events. Epidemiological safety requirements are increased there, and wearing face masks are mandatory. Cultural events will be held in the “green mode” only, face masks will be mandatory and there will be a limit to the number of visitors – up to 60% of room capacity. The maximum number of visitors permitted at a cultural event is 1000, divided into sectors of 300 persons each.
- People with a vaccination or recovery certificate will be able to have a meal in person at a public catering facility within opening hours limited from 6.00 to 21.00. Meals will be available for takeaway for both vaccinated and non-vaccinated people.
- Services related to entertainment and amusement indoors are not permitted.
- Retail services are prohibited at shopping centres (with floor area exceeding 1500 m2 and with more than five shops) on weekends and public holidays, except shops selling essential goods and providing household services.
- People who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 or who have not recovered from the virus are only allowed to shop in convenience stores. Unvaccinated people are able to shop in food stores, pharmacies, opticians, stores selling pet food, press, hygiene products, telecommunication products and fuel retail stations.
- As the situation in the world develops daily, the Latvian authorities monitor the situation and share their information with the World Health Organization (WHO).
- In general, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Latvia reminds all travelers that taking care of good hygiene – e.g. careful washing of hands and using hand disinfectants – is a reasonable use of common sense. If you have any questions regarding the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 and your travels, please call Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) helpline (00 371) 67501590 or (00 371) 67387661 (open 8.30-17.00 working days). In case of emergency call 113.