On Thursday, 3 April, the Saeima adopted in the final reading urgent amendments to the Latvian Administrative Violations Code. The amendments provide for an increase in fines for violating epidemiological safety requirements as well as restrictions and bans introduced during the state of emergency. In addition, the amendments establish administrative liability for failing to comply with conditions for receiving downtime allowance.

According to the summary of the amendments, the Cabinet of Ministers is responsible for establishing necessary measures and restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Latvia. However, some individuals have been observed to breach the measures and restrictions established by the Cabinet decree, causing significant threat to other people and the society as a whole.

To ensure more effective compliance with the measures and restrictions set out in the decree, the amendments provide for an increase in fines for failing to observe epidemiological requirements: 10 to 2000 euros for natural persons (formerly 10 to 700 euros) and 140 to 5000 euros for legal persons (formerly 140 to 2800 euros). The same fees apply to natural and legal persons who breach restrictions and bans introduced during the state of emergency (formerly up to 350 euros).

The amendments also provide for administrative liability for persons withholding information about having contracted an infectious disease, being in contact with another person with the infectious disease, or having been being located in a hotbed of infection during the state of emergency declared due to the spread of the respective infectious disease. Persons responsible for these administrative violations may be imposed a fine from 10 to 2000 euros. The State Police and Municipal Police are the responsible authorities for investigating these violations.

In addition, the amendments establish administrative liability for failing to meet the conditions for receiving downtime allowance. For providing false information to the State Revenue Service with the aim of receiving downtime allowance, natural persons or board members are to be fined for up to 1500 euros, optionally revoking the right of the board member to assume certain positions in companies.

The amendments will enter into force on the next day after their promulgation. 

Saeima Press Service