As the epidemiological situation improves, several restrictions on the provision of economic services, including retail trade, will be lifted

Taking into account that the epidemiological situation in Latvia is improving every day, at its meeting on 6 July this year the Cabinet of Ministers decided to lift several restrictions on the provision of economic services, including retail trade, when the 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants is below 20 (until it exceeds 25).

At present, the 14-day cumulative rate of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants is 35.4 (the figure changes every day; please follow the information on the website of the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control). This means that several measures for the safe servicing of customers at a medium level of incidence must still be observed in the provision of economic services, including retail trade, that is, when the 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100 000 inhabitants is below 100 (until it exceeds 120).

While the 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100 000 inhabitants is between 20 and 120, it is essential for retailers to observe and control the maximum number of visitors in retail premises (shops, market pavilions and shopping centres), allowing at least 15 m2 of publicly accessible floor space per visitor. Retailers must control the maximum number of visitors in accordance with the procedures established in their internal control system; most commonly, this is done using shopping trolleys or baskets, as well as shopping bags. Electronic counting systems may also be used, or control may be carried out by a sales assistant or security guard, so that the specified maximum number of visitors is not exceeded. A child under 12 years of age will continue not to be counted as a separate visitor. It is also important for retailers to inform customers about safety measures at retail premises, including the use of face masks, and to prevent crowding. 

Up-to-date information on safety requirements for retailers has been published on the website of the Ministry of Economics. Information materials for informing visitors about safety requirements are available on the website of the information campaign "Drošs paliek drošs".

When the 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants is below 20 and until it exceeds 25, retail premises will no longer be required to comply with the established floor-space requirements. In such a situation, retailers must organise the flow of visitors in a way that ensures a 2-metre distance between individual visitors or members of different households and prevents crowding. Face coverings for the mouth and nose will only be required in retail premises where large numbers of people gather and it is not possible to maintain a 2-metre distance. At venues for organising street trading, that is, fairs, it will no longer be necessary to physically enclose the street-trading area, and entertainment events may be held (for example, themed celebrations and attractions).

When the 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants is below 20 and until it exceeds 25, the floor-space restriction will also no longer apply at trade fairs, cultural venues, places providing individual and other economic services, including public swimming pools, as well as at various amusement venues. Providers of these services must organise the flow of visitors, ensuring a 2-metre distance between individual visitors or members of different households and preventing crowding. Service providers must set a maximum number of visitors at the service venue that allows the required organisation of visitor flow, taking into account the anticipated behaviour of visitors.

In addition, when providing and receiving services, attending and organising events or sports competitions with spectators outdoors, persons with a valid vaccination or recovery certificate, persons with a valid negative Covid-19 test certificate, and children under 12 years of age accompanying these persons (without certificates) may disregard requirements concerning the observance of distance or the placement of visitors in seats or at tables. Such events may also be attended by up to 1,000 people indoors and up to 2,000 people outdoors.

The restriction on working hours for providers of economic services will also be lifted (where it has been introduced). Face coverings for the mouth and nose will only be required in public indoor places where large numbers of people gather and it is not possible to maintain a 2-metre distance (except where wearing a mask is not possible). 

At venues providing amusement and entertainment services the ban on providing entertainment services where it is not possible to ensure the disinfection of equipment and surfaces and compliance with distance requirements between visitors will be lifted (for example, children's ball pits will be allowed to reopen).

As with other providers of economic services, providers of beauty and wellness services will no longer be subject to the established restriction on floor space. At the same time, the requirement to equip manicure, pedicure or podology workstations with a stable protective barrier between the service provider and the recipient of the service will be lifted; to use valve-free FFP-2 or FFP-3 respirators when providing services to persons who have not been vaccinated, recovered or tested; and the requirement to heat the premises to +100° C before sauna and steam-bath procedures, while ensuring enhanced ventilation at a high temperature (above +60° C) during the procedure, will also be lifted. Beauty and wellness service providers who provide services with several professionals working in the same room at the same time will also be able to disregard the flow principle if the service provider can ensure that a 2-metre distance is maintained between individual visitors, service recipients continue to be served only by prior appointment, and the premises are regularly ventilated for at least 15 minutes (between service provision intervals, but no less than once every two hours).

Up-to-date information on safety requirements for the provision of various services has been published on the website of the Ministry of Economics.

Author:

Public Relations Division

Ministry of Economics

em.gov.lv