Covid-19, Education and Science, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation

According to the prime minister, the government decided to increase the Covid-19 testing capacity by 60% by the end of the week - to about 8,000 tests a day. Testing capacity will also be increased further.

Also, the government decided that pupils of grades 7-12 will continue remote learning until November 15. Restrictions will remain also in force in relation to extracurricular activities.

Ministers decided to grant bonus payments to medics who are engaged in fight against Covid-19 by the end of this year.

The government adopted the strategy for curbing Covid-19 developed by the Health Ministry. The strategy describes four categories of Covid-19 risks. Latvia currently is in the third category, said Karins.

Health Minister Ilze Vinkele (For Development) said that the restrictions introduced this Monday and remote learning for older pupils give hope that the infection curve will be stabilized and there will be a drop in two or three weeks.

The effect of epidemiological restrictions on the society and national economy will be assessed in a special task force headed by the finance minister.

Capacity of Covid-19 testing will be increased without changing testing algorithms, said Health Minister Ilze Vinkele (For Development) after the government meeting today.

The minister said that starting from Monday a more targeted algorithm is being applied, and it will not be changed.

Boosting of testing capacity entails several components - number of processed tests in labs, taking samples for tests, etc. "Not everything can be solved with money. If we reach 7,000-9,000 tests a day, it is a great achievement for Latvia," Vinkele said.