Coronavirus restrictions eased carefully in Latvia
The Latvian government decided on Thursday to further relax coronavirus-related restrictions. As of June 1, state examinations and training sessions for professional athletes will be permitted.
From June 1 it will be allowed to hold state exams, including professional qualification exams and entry exams. Camps for children will also be allowed to open as of June 1, as will sports training sessions if participating athletes are members of Latvian adult teams or members of higher league teams who perform their obligations under written agreements.
The rule that no more than 25 people are allowed to simultaneously participate in events is to remain applicable, ERR's "Aktuaalne kaamera" reports. The 2+2 rule must be also complied with.
If the disease rate does not increase, further mitigations are expected on June 9, when the state of emergency ends in Latvia, after which public gatherings with up to 200 people are permitted.
The requirement for passengers to wear protective face masks in public transport remains in place and people are getting more acquainted with it, ERR reports.
The Latvian government has been much more careful than Estonia regarding major summer public events. The Latvian minister for health Ilze Vinkele has dared not promise that major events will take place in Latvia this summer.
Both the Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival and Positivus Festival have been canceled. Tickets for the latter will be valid next year, as there will be no refunds under Latvian law.
After the state of emergency most probably ends on June 9, a so-called transitional period law should take effect. The details of that intermediate stage will be clarified in the near future.
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Editor: Anders Nõmm