We would like to inform that in accordance with the information published on July 23, 2021 by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control of Latvia (SPKC), the United States of America has been included in the list of third countries with high levels of Covid-19 infections.
Therefore, as of July 24, 2021 travel to Latvia from the U.S. is allowed only for restricted categories:
1) Persons who have been vaccinated, and 14 days have passed since the completion of the vaccination course with a European Medicines Agency or with an equivalent regulator or World Health Organization recognized vaccine, as well as those individuals who have recovered from Covid-19, and are able to show clear and credible proof of this by providing a European Union interoperable vaccination certificate, test certificate or certificate of recovery (a recovery certificate is valid for 11 to 180 days from the start of the illness) either in an electronic smart device or printed out on paper. Please consult Paragraphs 38.39 and 38.40 of the June 9, 2020 Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No 360 “Epidemiological safety measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 infection”, as well as on the Covid-19 government website. If the individual is not able to present such a certificate, in order to enter Latvia, the person must fit into one of the so-called essential traveler categories (please see point 2) below).
2) So-called essential travelers - mainly nationals of Latvia and their family members. A complete list of categories of those who are allowed to enter Latvia is listed under Paragraph 38.48 of the June 9, 2020 Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No.360 Epidemiological Safety Measures for the Containment of the Spread of COVID-19 Infection .
Prior to entering Latvia all individuals must show the QR code confirming completion of the Covidpass.lv form. The completed confirmation form must be submitted to the information system’s website (Covidpass.lv) no earlier than 48 hours prior to crossing the State border of Latvia. Additional information on the covidpass.lv form is outlined in Paragraph 38.52 of the June 9, 2020 Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No.360 Epidemiological Safety Measures for the Containment of the Spread of COVID-19 Infection .
Regarding essential travelers to Latvia, as of July 24, 2021 the following regulations are in effect for entering Latvia from the United States:
1) A negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) Covid-19 test result is required. The test must be performed no earlier than 72 hours before boarding the aircraft that will be entering Latvia. Proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result or other medical document that confirms that the person is not infectious (for example, a doctor’s certificate) must be presented to the airline. If this is not done, the passenger will be denied boarding to Latvia. Children under the age of 12 are exempted from this Covid-19 testing requirement. For other exceptions please see Paragraph 38.46 of the June 9, 2020 Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No 360 “Epidemiological safety measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 infection”.
2) Upon entering Latvia, individuals must immediately, but no later than 24 hours after arrival, undergo a Covid-19 test at the nearest testing site at his or her own expense and must immediately go to the place of self-isolation until a negative test result is received. This testing requirement also does not apply to children who are under the age of 12. For other exceptions please see Paragraph 38.46 of the June 9, 2020 Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No 360 “Epidemiological safety measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 infection”
3) Upon entering Latvia individuals shall, 10 days after leaving the United States, ensure self-isolation. Self-isolation may be discontinued if on the seventh day after leaving the U.S. he or she undergoes a COVID-19 test and the test result is negative. Additional information regarding self-isolation requirements is outlined in Paragraph 56 of the June 9, 2020 Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No 360 “Epidemiological safety measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 infection”. Information on exceptions to self-isolation requirements after arriving in Latvia is outlined in Paragraph 38.46 of the June 9, 2020 Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No 360 “Epidemiological safety measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 infection.
Finally, we would like to inform that the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as third countries (such as the United States) are divided into low risk, high risk and very high risk countries. It is possible to determine which risk group each country belongs to by going to the website of the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control of Latvia.