Covid-19, Culture, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Markets and Companies, Medicine

According to the draft amendments approved to the government regulations on epidemiological safety measures for containing the spread of Covid-19, rules for outdoor events will remain unchanged, with up to 3,000 people permitted to assemble at open-air venues.

Under the new regulation, the maximum number of people allowed to sit at one table in cafes, bars and restaurants will be increased from four to eight, with no limits on the number of people allowed to sit at one table outside.

Catering establishments will be allowed to extend their working hours by two until 2:00 a.m. Cultural, sports and religious venues will also be allowed to stay open until 2:00 a.m.

The area catering establishments, shopping centers and cultural venues are required to provide for each visitor will be reduced from four square meters to three square meters per person. The requirement for caterers to place tables two meters apart remains in force.

The rule that the number of people allowed to gather at one particular venue must not exceed 50 percent of the venue's capacity has also been left in place.

The Health Ministry indicated that the spread of Covid-19 in Latvia is controlled and that it is therefore possible ease some of the existing restrictions.

To ensure public compliance with the Covid-19 restrictions, they have to be gradually eased as long as the infection risks remain low, the ministry argued.