Airport, Covid-19, Crisis, Latvia, Transport

Linkaits proposed changing the formula, arguing that the ban on passenger traffic to and from Lithuania is a heavy blow to Latvia's connectivity to the rest of Europe.

"The formula based on which the CDC determines the countries to be included in the list, is not consistent with the best practice of other EU member states," Linkaits said.

Linkaits warned that the European Commission has already hinted that Latvia might face an infringement procedure for an inadequate restriction of international air traffic, the minister's adviser Ilze Salna told LETA. Linkaits will therefore propose changing the regulation at the next government meeting. 

As reported, passenger traffic with Lithuania will be banned from next Monday, December 7, the CDC informed.

Since the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 population in the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) fell to 506.9 this week, as of next Monday, December 7, regular passenger traffic is not permitted to countries with more than 1,013.8 cases per 100,000 population. According to CDC, from next Monday, passenger traffic will be banned to Andorra, Luxembourg, Croatia, San Marino and Lithuania.

Latvia bans passenger traffic with those countries where the weekly Covid-19 incidence is more than twice as high as the average incidence in the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA).