COVID-19 InformationLast updated: 1 July, 2022

*** As of 12:01 a.m. EDT June 12, 2022, the CDC order requiring all persons aged two and above to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States, is rescinded. Starting at 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 12, 2022, the CDC will no longer order air passengers to show a negative COVID-19 test result, or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the United States. Of note, CDC’s Order requiring proof of vaccination for non-U.S. citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect. For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers.

Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

Country-Specific Information

• Medical and/or masks marked as FPP2-FFP3, KN95 have to be worn mandatory in all medical and social care facilities. This requirement does not apply to children until 12 years of age.
• When entering Latvia persons will not be required to present Covid-19 certificates or Covid-19 tests anymore unless they travel from very high risk country indicated here. Travelers from very high risk countries by entering Latvia are required to present vaccination or recovery certificate from Covid-19 and a negative PCR/antigen Covid-19 test result. This requirement does not apply to certain groups of travelers listed here.
• Regular flights are available out of Latvia.
• Please visit the website of the Embassy of Latvia in Washington D.C. here for information regarding entry into Latvia and here for consular information and consult with your airline regarding any documents they may require for boarding.
• As of February 15, 2022 validity of Covid-19 vaccination certificate is set to 9 months after completing the vaccination course with Vaxzevria, Spikevax, Comirnaty and 5 months after receiving the Janssen. This requirement applies only to the receipt of services and for attendance of events where it is necessary to present a vaccination certificate. Validity rule for Covid-19 vaccination certificate does not apply to children until 18 years of age.
• American Citizens who are visiting Latvia may apply for a temporary QR code with Tourism and Information Centers (RTIC) in the following cities: in Aluksne, Bauska, Daugavpils, Jekabpils, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Salacgriva, Valmiera and Ventspils. Contact information, as well as opening hours for Tourism Information Centers are available at https://www.latvia.travel/en/article/tourist-information-centres. American Citizens will need to show their passports and their original CDC card or other vaccination card. An application fee of 10 Euro will be charged by the RTIC. The temporary QR codes will generally be issued within one business day and are for 30 days. These certificates are valid only within Latvia, and are not interoperable with digital COVID certificates for other EU Countries. For further information about temporary QR codes, please contact travel@riga.lv.
• The Department of State has issued a Level 4 Advisory advising U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Latvia due to the global impact of COVID-19.
• Visit www.covid19.gov.lv for the current information.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia Information for Travelers to Latvia Page
• State Chancellery of Latvia COVID-19 Information Page
• Alerts and Messages for U.S. Citizens

COVID-19 Testing

• Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Latvia? Yes
• If so, are test results reliably available within one calendar day? Yes
  • Anyone with symptoms can be tested for free with doctor`s referral. For those without symptoms the cost, per test, is 37 euros.
  • For more information on testing, please visit the Government of Latvia COVID-19 website (https://covid19.gov.lv/en/covid-19/about-covid-19/who-can-be-tested-covid-19-free).
  • A map of COVID-19 testing sites in Latvia
  • Individuals with severe symptoms please call the emergency line at 113.
  • For a COVID-19 questions, call the COVID-19 Hotline at 8345.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

• Has the government of Latvia approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes
• As of February 15, 2022 validity of Covid-19 vaccination certificate is set to 9 months after completing the vaccination course with Vaxzevria, Spikevax, Comirnaty and 5 months after receiving the Janssen This requirement applies only to the receipt of services and for attendance of events where it is necessary to present a vaccination certificate. Validity rule for Covid-19 vaccination certificate does not apply to children until 18 years of age.
• Are vaccines available in Latvia for U.S. citizens to receive? No
  • Vaccines are available ONLY to U.S. citizens who have temporary or permanent residency cards of Latvia. Please visit https://www.vmnvd.gov.lv/lv/personas-kam-apmaksa-covid-19-vakcinacijas-pakalpojumu for more information.
  • Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.
  • The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes

• When entering Latvia persons will not be required to present Covid-19 certificates or Covid-19 tests anymore unless they travel from very high risk country indicated here. Travelers from very high risk countries by entering Latvia are required to present vaccination or recovery certificate from Covid-19 and a negative PCR/antigen Covid-19 test result. This requirement does not apply to certain groups of travelers listed here.
• In order to be considered “fully vaccinated” for purposes of travel to Latvia, travelers from very high risk countries must:

• • have had the full course of vaccine (1 shot of the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine, or 2 shots of Astra-Zeneca, Moderna or Pfizer vaccines) and it must have been at least 14 days since your last vaccination.
  • show a U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Vaccine Card, interoperable digital EU certificate (either in an electronic smart device or printed out) or a vaccination certificate issued in the EU, the EEA countries, Switzerland or the United Kingdom.

• PLEASE NOTE – There are no direct flights between the United States and Latvia. It is the traveler’s responsibility to be informed about the entry/exit requirements of the countries the traveler intends to transit on the way to/from Latvia.
• PLEASE NOTE – U.S. Embassy Riga cannot assist those travelers who are not allowed entry into Latvia due to a failure to comply with the entry/exit requirements imposed by the Latvian Government.

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry for U.S. citizens? No

• When entering Latvia persons will not be required to present Covid-19 certificates or Covid-19 tests anymore unless they travel from very high risk country indicated here. Travelers from very high risk countries by entering Latvia are required to present vaccination or recovery certificate from Covid-19 and a negative PCR/antigen Covid-19 test result. This requirement does not apply to certain groups of travelers listed here.
• For long term stay American Citizens must submit his/her CDC certificate to the Latvian National Health Service for it to be recognized in the EU and to obtain a QR code, please follow the instructions here: https://www.vmnvd.gov.lv/en/creation-certificate-if-vaccination-was-performed-outside-european-countries.
• For short term stay American Citizens who are visiting Latvia may apply for a temporary QR code with Tourism and Information Centers (RTIC) in the following cities: in Aluksne, Bauska, Daugavpils, Jekabpils, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Salacgriva, Valmiera and Ventspils. Contact information, as well as opening hours for Tourism Information Centers are available at https://www.latvia.travel/en/article/tourist-information-centres. American Citizens will need to show their passports and their original CDC card or other vaccination card. An application fee of 10 Euro will be charged by the RTIC. The temporary QR codes will generally be issued within one business day and are for 30 days. These certificates are valid only within Latvia, and are not interoperable with digital COVID certificates for other EU Countries. For further information about temporary QR codes, please contact travel@riga.lv.

Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? No

• • All travelers except children under the age of 7 must wear a medical mask in the Airport. Entry into the Airport terminal is only allowed for passengers wearing a mask who have a boarding pass or booking confirmation.
  • The Airport urges travelers to observe the requirement to wear a mask during their time in the Airport.  If a passenger arrives at the Airport without a mask, s/he can purchase one at the entrance or in the terminal.

Movement Restrictions

• Is a curfew in place? No
• Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No

Transportation Options

• Are commercial flights operating? Yes
  • Passenger flights from Riga Airport remain limited.  However, airlines have begun to resume many previous routes. Check Riga Airport website  for the current list of available destinations.
• Is public transportation operating? Yes

Fines for Non-Compliance

• Individuals not complying with the health and safety requirements can be subject to a fine from 100 – 2000 euros.

Consular Operations

• The U.S. Embassy in Riga is processing the full slate of American Citizen Services, including CRBA and passport appointments, as well as immigrant visas. Appointments for non-immigrant visas are limited. Please contact askconsular-riga@state.gov for more information.

Local Resources

• View U.S. Embassy Riga’s Most Recent Alerts
• Cabinet of Ministers Press Releases
• Latvia’s Center for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC)
• SPKC Specific Information on Rates of Incidence In Other Countries
• SPKC Current News about COVID-19
• Latvia Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Latvian National Health Service – vaccination certificate recognition in EU
• European Center for Disease Prevention and Control

Other Resources:

• Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test Result or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Airline Passengers Arriving into the United States
• Updates on Travel Restrictions to the United States on Visa Waiver Program
• COVID-19 Travel Information page on travel.state.gov
• CDC page on COVID-19
• Latvia Country Information and Travel Advisory page
• World Health Organization
• Register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

By U.S. Embassy Latvia | 1 July, 2022 | Topics: Alert, Messages for U.S. Citizens