Latvia announced the introduction of a strict lockdown from October 21

The Latvian government has announced the introduction of strict restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of coronavirus infection, writes Delfi.

From October 21 to November 15, all stores will be closed, except for those selling essential goods. Sports, entertainment and cultural events will be cancelled. Barbershops, beauty salons and catering establishments will stop working. There will be a curfew from 20:00 to 05:00.

After the autumn holidays, most schoolchildren will be transferred to distance learning, from November 1, students in the first and third grades will continue to study at schools. Educational institutions for children of preschool age will operate, whose parents must go to work.

In addition, the authorities will impose restrictions on gatherings, as well as restrict the movement of people from different households in the same car.

Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said the new restrictions were introduced due to low vaccination coverage in Latvia. “It may seem incomprehensible to many why we have this, but in Denmark and Ireland it is different. The reason is that the vaccination process did not go properly,” the prime minister said (quote from Interfax).

• Latvia ranks first in the world in terms of the incidence of COVID-19 per capita. Over the past week, the number of new cases of coronavirus infection has increased by 49%.