Ambasada Romaniei la Vilnius a informat ca Ministerul Afacerilor Externe al Republicii Letonia a modificat conditii de calatorie pe teritoriul national pentru soferii de autocamioane de transport marfa.

Principala modificare vizeaza impunerea realizarii unui test PCR pentru COVID-19 pentru soferii de autocamioane care urmeaza a petrece pe teritoriul Letoniei mai mult de 72 de ore. In acest caz, testarea soferilor de camioane se va face in Letonia.

De asemenea, o alta modificare relevanta o reprezinta obligativitatea prezentarii unui test PCR negativ la intrarea in tara pentru soferii de autocamioane care au petrecut mai mult de 72 de ore, in ultimele 14 zile calendaristice anterior intrarii pe teritoriul leton, intr-o tara cu risc ridicat de transmitere a COVID-19. Lista acestor state este actualizata saptamânal de Centrul leton pentru Controlul si Prevenirea Bolilor pe site-ul sau - https://www.spkc.gov.lv/lv/valstu-saslimstibas-raditaji-ar-covid-19-0 .

Precizam ca anterior adoptarii prezentei decizii, soferii de autocamioane de transport marfa erau exceptati de la masura prezentarii/efectuarii unui test COVID-19 la intrarea in Letonia.

Anexat transmitem informarea receptionata de la Ministerul Afacerilor Externe al Republicii Letonia (in limba engleza).

Latvia is currently applying exemptions from requirements of Covid-19 tests when crossing the border of the Republic of Latvia to the employees of transport and carriage of passengers’ service providers and to the crews of passenger, freight or technical voyages including when they are going to the place where they perform their work duties or when they are returning from it.

Professional drivers of goods vehicles and buses, upon request of the State Border Guard or the State Police, shall present a driver's licence of the relevant category and a driver card of a digital tachograph or a record sheet of the last working day, as well as a Certificate for International Transport Workers issued by the employer the form and content of which correspond to the template developed by the European Commission.

In order to reduce the spread of Covid-19 virus, especially the newer coronavirus form, on February 11, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia imposed a new regulation on the entry of professional truck drivers into Latvia. The new rules come into force on 15 February 2021.

The new regulation stipulates that professional truck drivers (hereinafter - drivers) do not have to take the Covid-19 test, if they plan to stay in Latvia for less than 72 hours or have spent less than 72 hours in countries with high risk of severe illness during the past 14 days. For example, if a driver stays in Latvia for a longer period of time while performing work duties, but leaves Latvia 71 hours after entering Latvia, the Covid-19 test does not need to be performed.

If the driver stays in Latvia for more than 72 hours or the driver has spent time longer than 72 hours in a country with a with high risk of severe illness during the past 14 days, it is necessary to perform the Covid-19 test. For example, if a driver stays in Latvia for more than 72 hours while performing work duties, then it is necessary to perform the Covid-19 test in Latvia. On the other hand, if the driver has been spent more than 72 hours in a country with a high risk of illness during the past 14 days, then the test must be performed before entering Latvia.

At the same time, the following safety precautions should be taken: mouth and nose shields should be worn in public places, precautions should be taken during work, as well as not exposing others to the risk of infection and limiting contact with other people (e.g. not visiting). If a person experiences any signs of respiratory infection, it is mandatory to begin self-isolation and contact a doctor.

In addition, it should be noted that the requirements referred to in the regulations regarding the performance of Covid-19 tests do not apply to citizens and permanent residents of the Member States of the European Union who cross the land border of the Republic of Latvia with other European Union countries on a daily basis in connection with employment, if the border crossing is necessary for the performance of basic duties of work or service and the person has a document certifying the fact of employment.

Only the PCR Covid-19 test is valid for entry into Latvia.

List of countries with high level of 14-day Covid-19 cases is available here: https://www.spkc.gov.lv/lv/valstu-saslimstibas-raditaji-ar-covid-19-0