Published: 28.01.2021.
FOTO: COVID19 logo

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:

Persons who have returned to Latvia from so-called “red” countries (list of countries) must observe a 10-day self-isolation. 

It is allowed to enter Latvia, provided that the guidelines developed by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) are being followed. When arriving from countries with a 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases that is higher than 50 per 100,000 inhabitants, self-isolation must be observed for 10 days.

10-day self-isolation must be observed when entering Latvia from the countries listed in the “National COVID-19 morbidity rates” section of the SPKC website.

If a person is arriving from a “safe” country by transiting through an “unsafe country”, the person must observe self-isolation; in order to avoid self-isolation, a different return route must be chosen.

When arriving from countries with a 14-day cumulative number of COVID-19 cases that is higher than 50 per 100,000 inhabitants, self-isolation must be observed for 10 days. 10-day self-isolation must be observed when entering Latvia from the countries listed in the “National COVID-19 morbidity rates” section of the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) website.

From 15 January, passengers who intend to use international passenger transport services in order to arrive in Latvia by plane, bus or train will have to take a Covid-19 test 72 hours before their departure. Until 25 January, a negative Covid-19 test result of any kind may be presented upon arriving in Latvia. On 25 January and thereafter, only a negative result of a molecular PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test (done with nasal and throat swabs) will be accepted. Those who have recovered from Covid-19 must present a doctor’s note confirming that they have had Covid-19.

Passengers who are unable to present proof of a negative Covid-19 test – either printed out or in their smart device – or a doctor’s note, will be denied boarding. The carrier's services will only be available to passengers who will have tested negative.  The negative test result or the doctor’s note must be in English, French, Russian or in the official language of the country where the traveller’s journey begins. This requirement also applies to those who intend to arrive in Latvia by private vehicle. The result of the test will have to be indicated in the covidpass.lv questionnaire, which may be checked by the Latvian Border Guard and police representatives.

There are several exceptions when getting tested before entering Latvia is not required:

  • Children under 11 years of age
  • Employees and crew members of carriers; seafarers travelling to or from their duty station; transit passengers not leaving the controlled area of the aerodrome; members of the diplomatic corps
  • Getting tested is not required for border residents who cross the border on a daily basis for work, education, or similar needs and can provide proof of employment or education

After arriving from a country with a high incidence of Covid-19, a ten-day self-isolation is compulsory. Separate categories of persons – for example, medical staff and employees of educational institutions – must go into a 14-day self-isolation, which can end already on the 10th day.

Failure to comply with self-isolation at the place of work and during working hours

Exceptions shall be acceptable to those foreign inhabitants from risk countries, whose:

  • arrival in Latvia is required for fulfilment of the liabilities of Latvian merchants (these persons may not be subject to self-isolation during the time and at the place of performance of work duties);
  • purpose of arrival in Latvia is participation in international sporting events.

Confirmation of a negative test result is the result of a Covid-19 test, a certificate of physician, a certificate of physician on the presence of antibodies, or other medical document that certifies that an individual is not infectious.

  • Certificate of a negative test result must be presented to a carrier, such as an airline; otherwise the individual will be denied boarding. One must present the certificate primarily in printed form to the carrier but when it is not possible, then in electronic form.
  • If an individual enters the country by road, but does not perform commercial transportation, a note on the test result must be in the filled-in covidpass.lv questionnaire. The State Border Guard or the State Police will check the existence of a negative test result.
  • The test certificate must be in English, French, German, Russian, or in the case of the use of the carrier’s services, also in the language of the country wherefrom the individual travels to Latvia. If the test results are presented to the State Border Guard or the State Police upon entering Latvia from Estonia and Lithuania, the test results may also be presented in Lithuanian or Estonian.

Yes. You should notify the State Police of the termination of self-isolation and should mandatorily use a mouth and nose mask on the road (both in public transport and at the airport and elsewhere).

Notification on changes is possible: 

  • by informing the police officer, who shall contact the person to make sure that self-isolation is observed;
  • by sending a written confirmation to the e-mail pasts@vp.gov.lv;
  • by contacting the police station that serves the district, where the person is staying. 

From 15 January subject to strict epidemiological security controls, international passenger traffic is allowed to and from the European Union (EU) Member States and within the European Economic Area and to and from Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The Ministry of Foreign urges everyone to refrain from travelling unless it is absolutely necessary. You can find more information on website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

You can get answers to questions about crossing the state border by calling +371 67075616, while you can get answers to other frequently asked questions by calling the single Covid-19 reference phone 8345 (calls only from Latvia).

From  June 10, 2020 international carriage of passengers via airports, ports, by buses and railway transport to countries, where spread of COVID-19 infection has been registered which can cause a serious threat to the public health, is prohibited; as well as movement of persons and vehicles via border crossing points of external border of the European Union from/to these countries is prohibited, i.e. at the borders of Latvia with Russia and Latvia with Belarus.

The prohibition of movement shall not apply to the nationals of the Republic of Latvia and their family members whose permanent place of residence is abroad, and also foreigners who, by crossing the territory of the Republic of Latvia in transit, are returning to the country of their permanent place of residence, as well as the nationals of the European Union, European Economic Area, and Switzerland and their family members, and also persons who are permanently residing in these countries in order to return to their country of residence, including in the Republic of Latvia, by crossing the territory of the Republic of Latvia in transit.

Exceptions concerning the prohibition of movement are also the employees of the transport and carriage of passengers service providers and the crews of passenger, freight, or technical voyages, who arrive in the Republic of Latvia or exit it upon fulfilling work duties, passengers  subject of carriage with State aircraft and military transport, with private air transport and business flights or recreational vessels (not more than five passengers), seafarers, in order to be able to return to Latvia or to reach their work place aboard a ship, as well as foreign diplomats and their family members who are crossing the territory of the Republic of Latvia in transit for the performance of the official functions.

The prohibition of movement shall not also apply to the nationals of Latvia who are the members of official delegations or who need to get to their work place within the framework of an intergovernmental projects, full-time and exchange programme students, if a higher education institution or college has issued a written certification on the matriculation of the student and full-time study, athletes and sports employees, and also representatives of international sports organisations who comply with the  requirements of Paragraph 37.10 of Cabinet Regulation No.360 of 9 June 2020 “Epidemiological Safety Measures for the Containment of the Spread of COVID-19 Infection”, foreigners whose arrival in Latvia for receipt of treatment services is coordinated with the Health Inspectorate, culture employees whose arrival in Latvia is related to the provision of cultural services and organisation of public events, athletes of the Latvian adult team, Latvian Olympic team or Latvian Paralympic team, and also Latvian team athletes starting in international leagues and sports employees that provide services to them who comply with the requirements of Paragraph 37.13 of Cabinet Regulation No 360 of 9 June 2020 on “Epidemiological Safety Measures for the Containment of the Spread of COVID-19 Infection”.

From 12 October at 00.00 all persons entering the Republic of Latvia are obliged to fill in an electronic questionnaire on the website Covidpass.lv.

Completion of the confirmation form is mandatory for all travellers, and it must be completed no earlier than 48 hours before crossing the border of the Republic of Latvia.

After filling in the confirmation form, the traveller will receive a personalized QR code, which will confirm the submission of data. The code is needed so that carriers, the Health Inspectorate, the State Police, the Municipal Police and border guards can make sure that the restrictions are met.

If the QR code is lost, it is possible to use created on the home page “Receive QR Code” function by re-entering the e-mail address.

It is also necessary to be registered on Covidpass.lv if Latvia is crossed in transit. When entering Latvia, transport and passenger transport service providers must also register each time.

In turn, Latvian border residents who are studying, working or receiving medical services in Lithuania or Estonia, as well as residents declared in Valka Municipality and Valga Parish, who are daily crossing Latvian land border with Estonia, must complete the electronic confirmation form every 30 days.

The Electronic Registration System of Arriving Persons - IECIS, which will further serve as an electronic self-declaration system (confirmation form) for persons arriving or returning to Latvia from abroad, has been developed by the Information Center of the Ministry of the Interior in cooperation with the State Police, State Border Guard, and Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Additional information about using covidpass.lv is available on covid19.gov.lv website.

From 15 January, a negative Covid-19 test will also be required for entry.

Entering Latvia is possible only by presenting a negative COVID-19 test. On the other hand, if the person is not infectious, a medical certificate, a certificate of the presence of antibodies or another medical document confirming this will be required.

• The Covid-19 test must be taken not earlier than 72 hours before boarding the carrier's mean of transport, for example, an airplane or crossing the Latvian border individually, for example, with your own car;

• the test must be recognized in the country from which the person is departing;

• it must be presented in printed form or electronically (on a personal smart device);

• the test result or certificate may be in English, French, German, Russian or, in the case of using the carrier's services, also in the language of the country from which the person travels to Latvia. If the certificate is presented to the State Border Guard or the State Police when entering Latvia from Estonia and Lithuania, it may also be in Lithuanian or Estonian.

From January 25, upon entering Latvia, only one type of test will be valid - the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.

The PCR test is the most commonly used test as it is the most internationally recognized method for diagnosing Covid-19.

From 11 to 25 February, only essential travel to Latvia is permitted; passenger transportation to and from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Portugal is suspended.

Member States, the Swiss Confederation, and the United Kingdom through international passenger carrier services or by a private vehicle is permitted for urgent and essential reasons only:

  • work;
  • training, studies;
  • family reunion;
  • in order to receive medical services,
  • transit,
  • accompanying a minor,
  • return to one’s permanent place of residence,
  • attending a funeral.In addition to showing that they have submitted their information at covidpass.lv, documents proving the purpose of entry will have to be presented to the State Border Guard or the State Police. The traveller will not have to present the documents if information that confirms any of the above-mentioned purposes of entry is already available in national information systems. For instance, information on the person’s place of residence can be checked in the Population Register during immigration control.
  • It will not be possible to complete registration with the covidpass.lv website without entering a self-certification that any of the above-mentioned reasons exist. The international carrier must make sure that the person has submitted this self-certification.