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Restrictions on catering establishments to be eased after state of emergency ends in Latvia

BC, Riga, 08.06.2020.Print version
A number of restrictions on catering establishments will be eased after the state of emergency ends in Latvia this week - up to four people will be allowed to sit at one table indoors and up to eight people in outdoor settings, and visitors will not be required to keep the two-meter distance from each other, according to epidemiological safety regulations for curbing the spread of Covid-19, drafted by the Health Ministry, informs LETA.

A number of measures aimed at containing the spread of the Covid-19 infection were included in the Cabinet of Minister's decree on the declaration of a state of emergency, but this emergency is ending this Tuesday, June 9. The Health Ministry has therefore drafted new regulations to keep some of the epidemiological safety measures in place. 


According to the draft regulations, which are expected to come into effect after June 9, catering establishments like cafes and restaurants will have ensure a two-meter distance between tables but the two-meter distance requirements will not apply to visitors sitting at one table.


At the same time, the number of people sitting at one table in indoors settings has been limited to four and the maximum number of people allowed to sit at one table outdoors will be eight. They do not necessarily have to be from one household. 


Since sitting with someone at one table means higher infection risks, the purpose of the restrictions is to limit the number of people exposed to an increased risk of contracting Covid-19, the ministry explained. 


The ministry, however, has promised to revise the number of people allowed to sit at one table on July 1 in light of the epidemiological situation. 


In order to reduce the possibility of transmitting the coronavirus infection with tableware, caterers will be required to provide each visitor with an individual set of tableware and napkins. 

Tables will have to be disinfected after each visitor.


Caterers will also have to provide the take-away option to their customers. 






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