COVID-19 in Latvia: Mandatory electronic registration for all persons entering Latvia

According to the amendments to Cabinet Regulation No. 360 “Epidemiological Safety Measures for the Containment of the Spread of COVID-19 Infection” adopted on 6 October 2020, from 12 October before crossing the border of the Republic of Latvia, all persons should fill in an electronic questionnaire on the website covidpass.lv. EU citizens who cross Latvian land border with Estonia and Lithuania due to work duties, as well as persons crossing Latvian border in transit, are exempted from the obligation of self-isolation. Therefore such travellers will have an opportunity to indicate relevant details regarding the entry purpose.

After completing the questionnaire, the traveller will receive a QR code via e-mail. The code shall be presented to the passenger carrier in printed form or on a mobile device. If the traveller does not present it, the carrier may offer to complete the questionnaire or may refuse boarding. Travellers entering Latvia with a private vehicle from Russia or Belarus, shall present the QR code to the State Border Guard. Travellers entering Latvia with a private vehicle from Lithuania or Estonia, where there is no border control, shall take into account that State Police officers are entitled to stop the vehicle and ask to present a QR code.

A fine of up to 2 000 EUR will be imposed to travellers for the failure to complete the questionnaire.

The data indicated in the questionnaire will be automatically transferred to the State Police, the State Border Guard and Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Personal data will be stored for 30 days for the purpose of using the received information to ensure epidemiological safety and traceability of contact persons.

Regarding related immigration issues please contact COBALT Latvia Partner Toms Šulmanis and Assistant Lawyer Alīna Ustinova.