Latvia imposes nearly monthlong lockdown as COVID-19 cases surge

Latvia has announced a month-long COVID-19 lockdown after the country recorded an unprecedented surge in infections. With this move, Latvia becomes Europe’s first country to reimpose strict measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

As per the reports, the Baltic country now has one of the highest rates of new COVID cases, after it successfully managed to keep the virus at bay for months. Reports have it that following an emergency government meeting, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said that the country will go into lockdown till November 15, which will be complemented with strict measures, as the pandemic continues to spread quickly, and causing hospital to fill up with COVID-19 patients amid scarce health care resources.
Further, reports state that only slightly over half of Latvians have been fully vaccinated, whereas Karins admitted that his government had failed in sufficiently getting the citizens to get the jabs. The Prime Minister added, “There are many people, too many people, who are not vaccinated.”

So far Latvia has recorded around 190000 confirmed Coronavirus cases, and nearly 2900 deaths. Referring to this, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control of Latvia stated that the country’s COVID-19 cases per 100000 population, now stands at 864, which is currently among the highest in the world.
Reportedly, a nationwide curfew will remain in place till November 15, from 8 PM to 5 AM. Most stores will be closed, while sports and cultural events won't be allowed during this time period.