Analytics, Baltic, Covid-19, Crisis, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Lithuania, Markets and Companies, Tourism, Transport

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia lifted their travel restrictions in May, enabling free movement of people within the three Baltic states, thus creating the "Baltic Bubble". Citizens and residents of the Baltic states were allowed to travel within the "Baltic Bubble" without self-isolating upon crossing the internal borders, provided that they had not been outside the Baltic states in the past 14 days, that they were not in self-isolation already and had no symptoms of respiratory illness.

Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (New Unity) informed ministers that today, September 2, the 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100,00 population reached 16.28 in Lithuania and 14.72 in Estonia.

He referred to his Baltic colleagues who have voiced concerns about the uptick in Covid-19 cases in their countries, asking at the same time if Latvia would agree to introduce a temporary regulation and exempt those arriving in Latvia from Lithuania and Estonia from 14-day self-isolation.

The foreign minister indicated that if Latvia does not agree to such a temporary regulation, the government will have to decide how to deal with the situation in such closely connected border areas like Valka and Valga.

Karins voiced regret that despite an earlier agreement, the Baltic states have been applying epidemiological safety requirements differently, which has resulted in higher Covid-19 incidence in Lithuania and Estonia.

The prime minister said that he is against lifting the self-isolation requirement for people arriving from Lithuania. "As head of government, I do not support it. How can be justify an exemption of the self-isolation rule for one territory when this threatens our health," Karins said.

Karins told journalists after the government meeting that the end of the "Baltic bubble" would depend on the epidemiological situation in Lithuania and Estonia. Considering the rate of infections in Lithuania, this country will likely be added to the list of countries traveling to which is not advisable.

Karins also said that Latvia would not change the requirement for people arriving from the "red and yellow-list countries" to self-isolate for 14 days. "We do not see any reason to change this course, which so far has been working so well," the premier said. 

At the same time, the prime minister admitted that the situation with the border areas has to be addressed, which the government might do at an extraordinary sitting this week.

Health Minister Ilze Vinkele (Development/For) agreed with the prime minister's position.