The government has decided how to phase out all the restrictions imposed by the Covid crisis. If the situation does not deteriorate drastically, most of the restrictions will be lifted on April 1.
The first to benefit are commercial service providers, which will now be allowed to accommodate consumers at night from 23:00 to 06:00.
Until now, the restriction on opening hours applied to outlets operating in epidemiologically safe or "green" environments, while it did not apply to outlets operating in epidemiologically unsafe or "red" environments. Thus, the restriction on operating hours remains in place for the provision of other economic services and the organization of events.
The next restrictions will be lifted on March 1, when shops will no longer require Covid-19 certificates and will instead have to provide 15 square meters of space per visitor. All previously closed sectors, such as nightclubs and attractions, are also expected to reopen on that date.
After April 1, most of the restrictions are expected to be lifted, keeping only the recommendation to wear masks and respirators, keep your distance and ventilate the premises.
However, MP Ēriks Pucens (Republic, Republika) believes that these relaxations come much too late and that Latvia will have to struggle for a long time with the negative effects of the restrictions on the national economy.
The government has decided that the epidemiological safety requirements will be lifted, but gradually. Does this plan seem good and timely?
I think we are too late in lifting all restrictions. That is why we see that our neighbors, Lithuania and Estonia, are already ahead of us on many indicators. It was completely wrong to restrict able-bodied people at a time when people needed both jobs and money the most.
We see the Minister for Economics saying that we are behind, but they themselves are one of the instigators of why we are not on an equal footing with Estonia and Lithuania. Take tourism. Unlike us, our neighbors were able to take courageous decisions, despite the number of people who fell ill.
But the big, borrowed money that we have given away will have to be paid back, and that will also weigh on us like an anchor.
The first restrictions will be lifted for commercial service providers, who will now also be able to operate between 11 pm and 6 am. There are relatively few such night shops, and easing this restriction seems insignificant, or is this a misconception?
It is throwing dust in people's eyes, not a solution. Because how many of these shops will remain open during these hours? It would be more important to let tourism work - tourist accommodation, bars and restaurants, entertainment. But this step does nothing.
The State Revenue Service has now paid out €82.2 million to taxpayers affected by the Covid crisis. The amount paid out during the crisis is even higher, but there are still those who are dissatisfied with the compensation system. Why?
Throughout the Covid crisis, entrepreneurs were confronted with incomprehensible rules on how they could and could not apply for this aid. Many did not apply because they realized that they would not get the money. A great many applied but were refused and were very disappointed.
Many people have received this money, but just as many have not, and many have chosen, because of the government's heavy-handed crisis management, to stop their business and leave Latvia, to come back when this is all over.