Being aware of its responsibility to control the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of passengers, employees and partners, Riga Airport has implemented a comprehensive epidemiological safety programme #ForbidTheVirusFromTravelling. It provides a set of measures for the protection of the Airport and Airport employees and the safe handling of passengers in order to minimize the risks of the spread of COVID-19. In developing the programme, the Airport has consulted with Latvian health authorities and taken into account the recommendations of international aviation organizations.
Until April 6 entry to Latvia is permitted for urgent and essential reasons only.
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Passengers can enter Latvia by air only if they present a negative Covid-19 PCR test, which has been taken no more than 72 hours before boarding the aircraft to Latvia!
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When entering Latvia, fill in the e-confirmation on the website www.covidpass.lv!
When entering Latvia from European Union countries, except Iceland and the Vatican, you must observe 10 days of self-isolation!
What are the requirements for entering Latvia?
Negative Covid-19 test
Passengers can enter Latvia by air only if they present a negative Covid-19 PCR test, which has been taken no more than 72 hours before boarding the aircraft to Latvia. Passengers without a test will be denied boarding.
Evidence for a negative test is a test result, drawn up in English, French, German, Russian or in the language of the country where the person boards the aircraft to Latvia. The test result must be presented primarily in printed form, but if it is impossible, then electronically, such as a file on a personal smart device or a text message.
Passengers who have recently (up to three months) recovered from Covid-19 should present a certificate issued by a doctor acknowledging that person is not infectious.
The test is also required for passengers travelling on business aircraft. If a person travels with an aircraft the flight status of which is “Private flight”, the person can also enter Latvia with a positive test result, while if the flight has the status “Commercial flight”, the person can enter only with a negative test result.
The test is not required:
- For children under 11 years of age;
- aircraft passengers who transit through the territory of Latvia without leaving the controlled area of the aerodrome and staying there for no longer than 24 hours, if they can present confirmation of the transit flight,
- Citizens of Estonia and Lithuania and their family members and persons permanently residing in these countries and entering Latvia to travel on an international passenger service from the airport "Riga", if they can present a confirmation of the flight;
- Representatives of the diplomatic corps;
- Employees and crew of carriers;
- Seafarers going to or from their place of work.
A person covered by one of the exceptions must have a document to that effect. We recommend that you contact your airline in advance and discuss the situation.
The condition of mandatory 10-day self-isolation after entry from high-risk countries remains unchanged.
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Latvian citizens and EU permanent residents with residence permits who have a positive Covid-19 test can return to Latvia only by private road transport - such travellers cannot use air transport to get to Latvia. In case you have already purchased an air ticket, please contact your airline!
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E-confirmation on the Covidpass.lv website
Before entering Latvia, all passengers must fill in the e-confirmation on the website covidpass.lv stating that upon the arrival to Latvia, they will observe the epidemiological safety measures set in the country. The confirmation can be filled in not earlier than 48 hours before entering Latvia.
After filling in the confirmation, the traveller receives a QR code on the website and in his/her e-mail, which must be presented on a mobile device or in printed form before boarding the aircraft. If the passenger does not have such a QR code, the carrier has the right to refuse the flight. If the QR code is lost, it can be restored at covidpass.lv.
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When planning a flight and further trips to and from Riga Airport, take into account that in Latvia there are restrictions on transit time. Transit time starts from the moment of filling in covidpass.lv.
- persons transiting through Latvia have to cross the country within 12 hours;
- aircraft passengers who transit through the territory of the Republic of Latvia without leaving the controlled area of the aerodrome can remain there for no longer than 24 hours, provided that they can present confirmation of the transit flight;
- passengers of international passenger transport must transit through the territory of the Republic of Latvia within 48 hours;
- employees of transport service providers and crew members of cargo or technical transport must transit through the territory of the Republic of Latvia within 72 hours;
- no time limit has been set for ship and aircraft crew members, as well as for seafarers who must get to or from their place of work on board a ship or an aircraft.
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Self-isolation
Upon arrival to Latvia from high-risk countries where the cumulative 14-day morbidity rate of Covid-19 per 100 000 population exceeds 50, mandatory 10-day self-isolation must be observed also if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative. It is the passenger's responsibility to arrive at his/her place of residence or other place of stay as soon as possible after entering such a country.
How are regular passenger flights to/from Riga Airport operated?
Until April 6 entry to Latvia from the European Union Member States and the European Economic Area Member States, the Swiss Confederation, and the United Kingdom through international passenger carrier services or by a private vehicle is permitted for urgent and essential reasons only:
- work;
- training, studies;
- family reunion;
- in order to receive medical services;
- transit;
- accompanying a minor;
- return to one’s permanent place of residence;
- attending a funeral.
One of these reasons must be stated on the website covidpass.lv. International passenger carriers must make sure that passengers have provided this self-certification.
Documents or other reliable evidence confirming the purpose of entry indicated on the website covidpass.lv will also have to be presented to the State Border Guard or the State Police upon request. It is possible not present documents if the relevant information proving one of the purposes of entry is already available in national information systems, such as the Population Register.
When entering Latvia due to the mentioned essential and urgent reasons, the already established epidemiological safety requirements are still in force, namely, passengers can enter Latvia by air only if they present a negative COVID-19 PCR test, which has been taken no more than 72 hours before boarding the aircraft to Latvia and must self-isolate for 10 days, even the result of the test is negative.
In accordance with Cabinet Regulation "Epidemiological Safety Measures for the Containment of the Spread of COVID-19 Infection" regular passenger carriage is allowed to and from the European Union countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Greece, Croatia, Estonia, Italy, Ireland, Cyprus, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, Spain, Hungary, Germany, Sweden) and the European Economic Area (EU countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), as well as United Kingdom and Switzerland.
Regular passenger services to third countries are not permitted.
The current 24-hour flight schedule can be found on the Airport's website.
Until what date are the restrictions on carriage in force?
Restrictions on international flights have been set until the Cabinet of Ministers sets a different procedure for operating flights. We encourage you to follow the current information about the changes.
What restrictions are set in Latvia?
A state of emergency has been declared in Latvia until 6 April and a number of restrictions on gatherings and trade have been set in the country. Find out more about what you need to observe while staying in Latvia at www.covid19.gov.lv.
Where, when, how does flight information appear?
The current flight schedule as provided by carriers can be found on the Riga Airport website. Please contact your airline regarding each specific flight.
What epidemiological safety measures should be followed at the Airport?
All travellers, except children under the age of 7, must wear a medical mask when staying at the Airport. Entry to the Airport terminal is only allowed to passengers in masks, upon presentation of a boarding pass or booking confirmation.
The Airport urges travellers to carefully observe the requirement to wear a mask during their stay at the Airport. In particular, the use of masks will be controlled in places where it is difficult to maintain physical distance.
If passenger has arrived at the Airport without a mask, it is possible to buy it at several places both at the entrance and in the terminal itself.
Travellers are also urged to observe their hand hygiene at the Airport and, wherever possible, to observe physical distance.
Will I undergo any special check upon departure/arrival?
The Airport has set equipment for measuring body temperature in the departures hall before security controls and in the arrivals hall before baggage reclaim.
Departure
For departing passengers, the existence of both travel documents and other certificates and documents is checked in accordance with the requirements of the country of destination and the airline. Such requirements may include, for example, a Covid-19 test or other medical certification, the completion of e-questionnaires and other requirements. Before your flight, please read the requirements of the airline and the country of destination carefully!
Departing passengers will be subjected to temperature measurements to comply with the requirements of airlines that have prohibited passengers with elevated body temperature from boarding aircraft. For example, airBaltic does not accept on board its aircraft passengers with a body temperature above 37.8 degrees. We urge passengers to carefully read the rules of the selected airline before the flight!
Arrival
There are no special health checks for arriving passengers at Riga Airport, but you may be asked to present a negative Covid-19 test and a QR code received from Covidpass.lv. Upon arrival to Latvia from high-risk countries where the cumulative 14-day morbidity rate of Covid-19 per 100 000 population exceeds 50, mandatory 10-day self-isolation must be observed also if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative. It is the passenger's responsibility to arrive at his/her place of residence or other place of residence as soon as possible after entering such a country.
Will I be quarantined if I come back from abroad?
When entering Latvia, 10-day self-isolation must be observed for people arriving to Latvia from countries where the 14-day cumulative rate of Covid-19 cases per 100 000 population exceeds 50. Self-isolation must also be observed if the Covid-19 test is negative. Upon arrival from these countries, the passenger is obliged to arrive at the place of residence or other place of stay as soon as possible.
The list of countries can be found on the SPKC website and is updated once a week on Fridays.
Is it possible to take COVID-19 test at the Airport?
A permanent E. Gulbis Laboratory patient reception point has been opened at Riga Airport, offering travellers and employees of the Airport and companies working at the Airport an opportunity to take various types of Covid-19 tests, as well as perform other types of medical tests.
The patient point is located in the Airport’s check-in hall, to the right of the entrance, where the former restaurant "TGI Fridays” was located.
Taking into account the epidemiological safety measures in place at Riga Airport, passengers can visit the point not earlier than 72 hours before their flight and must present a boarding pass or booking confirmation before entering the terminal. The point is also available to arriving passengers by presenting a boarding pass to enter the check-in hall, as well as to employees of the Airport and companies working at the Airport.
Passengers should apply for Covid-19 tests at the Airport patient point in advance; however, patients without appointment will also be served in free time between appointments. You can sign up by calling 67801112 or on the website of E. Gulbis Laboratory https://www.egl.lv/en/, authenticating with Swedbank, SEB, Luminor or Citadele internet bank, e-parakstsID or e-paraksts Mobile or Smart-ID applications.
The Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab from the nose and throat, the saliva PCR test, the result of which is ready within 24 hours, the antigen or rapid test, the result of which is ready within 0.5 hours, can be taken at the testing point; it also offers various antibody tests, the types of which are listed on the website of E. Gulbis Laboratory.
In addition to Covid-19 tests, other tests that are not subject to special handling or storage conditions can also be taken at the permanent patient point. More detailed information will be available from the laboratory staff, upon specifying the respective test.
A testing point will still be available in the airside passenger area of the Airport where passengers travelling to the Netherlands can take a rapid Covid-19 test. The Airport reminds that travellers to this country must present the result of a rapid test, which is taken no earlier than 4 hours before the flight. The Airport encourages passengers travelling to the Netherlands to fill in the necessary data and make a payment on the website of E. Gulbis Laboratory (https://www.egl.lv/en/eksprestests-lidosta/?auth) before going to the Airport, as well as to arrive at the Airport in a timely manner and turn to the testing point located in the Airport shopping area near the Transfer Centre. The point is open already three hours before flights to Amsterdam.
The contactless Covid-19 testing point of E. Gulbis Laboratory, which is located at the Airport at the exit of Arrivals Hall E, also continues to work at Riga Airport. This point is available to anyone interested and travellers can take a saliva test, the result of which is ready within 24 hours. This device can only be used by those Airport guests and employees who have access to authentication tools recognized in Latvia: Swedbank, SEB, Luminor or Citadele internet bank, e-parakstsID or e-paraksts Mobile or Smart-ID.
Are there any restrictions on the presence of persons meeting and seeing off passengers in the terminal premises?
Persons seeing off passengers are not allowed to enter the Airport terminal. Please go to the Airport only if passenger needs special assistance to get to the Airport. Passengers with reduced mobility can receive PRM service at the Airport.
Persons meeting passengers are allowed to enter the waiting rooms, but it is mandatory to wear a mask and observe physical distance.
Is it possible to spend the night at the Airport when travelling in transit?
Yes, transit passengers have an opportunity to spend the night at the Airport waiting for their next flight. Passengers travelling in transit should make sure that they have all the necessary documents for entry into the Republic of Latvia and the Schengen Area, as well as to get acquainted with the conditions of stay and quarantine specified in Latvia.
If my flight is very early in the morning, can I arrive at the Airport late the night before and spend the night at the terminal?
Yes, passengers scheduled to leave early in the morning can arrive at the Airport the night before and spend the night at the Airport.
In which cases can I be denied flight?
Flight may be denied if passenger does not meet epidemiological safety requirements set in the country of destination or by the airline. Such requirements may include, for example, a mandatory Covid-19 test, a mandatory face mask, a threshold for body temperature and others. For example, the national airline airBaltic does not allow passengers with a body temperature above 37.8 degrees on board its aircraft. The temperature measurement at Riga Airport will be performed before the security control area and passengers with elevated body temperature will be directed to airBaltic employees for further information.
We encourage passengers to read carefully the rules of the destination countru and selected airline before the flight!
What are the restrictions on entering other countries?
Due to the pandemic, many countries have imposed various travel restrictions, including mandatory Covid-19 test, self-isolation, certain entry conditions, etc. Many countries also have special requirements for the mandatory use of masks, stays in public places, gathering restrictions, etc.
Please read carefully the requirements before your trip and follow the current information! Aggregated information on restrictions imposed in other countries can also be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as on the European Commission's dedicated website https://reopen.europa.eu, which provides information on travel regulations and health security measures in EU Member States.
How can I cancel/change my flight or get my money back?
Please contact the selected airline.
Can I settle the issue of changing tickets at the Airport?
Passengers have to settle any issues related to the cancellation or change of their flight bookings, as well as the recovery of their funds with their airlines. The Airport encourages passengers to address these issues remotely without having to arrive at the Airport. The Airport advises to visit the Airport terminal only if the passenger who you are seeing off or meeting needs special assistance in getting to/from the Airport. Passengers are also asked to use personal transport whenever possible to get home from the Airport.
How to contact airBaltic?
The latest information provided by airBaltic is available here.
What should those who leave Latvia and return within 72 hours do?
The test must not be older than 72 hours. In such case, when returning to Latvia, you can use a test that you have taken, for example, in Latvia, before leaving, but not earlier than 72 hours before returning. It should be emphasized that even in such case, if a person enters from a country with a high risk of illness, 10 days of self-isolation must be observed.
What is evidence of a negative Covid-19 test? To whom should it be presented?
Confirmation is a test result or doctor's confirmation that the person has recently (during last 3 months) recovered from Covid-19 and is not infectious.
The test certificate must be in English, French, German, Russian, or in the case of the use of the carrier’s services, also in the language of the country wherefrom the individual travels to Latvia. The test result must be presented primarily in printed form, but if it is impossible, then electronically, such as a file on a personal smart device or a text message.
The existence of a negative test will be checked by Your career before the borading and by the State Border Guard or the State Police.
What test should be taken? Is an express test suitable?
Only test performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is valid. Covid-19 test must be taken no earlier than 72 hours before boarding the carrier's vehicle or aircraft.
What language should the test certificate be in?
The certificate must be in English, French, German, Russian or, in the case of using the carrier's services, also in the language of the country from which the person travels to Latvia. If the test results are presented to the State Border Guard or the State Police upon entering Latvia from Estonia and Lithuania, the test results may also be presented in Lithuanian or Estonian.
If there is no evidence of a negative Covid-19 test or it is older than 72 hours, can boarding be denied?
The Covid-19 test must be taken no earlier than 72 hours before boarding. Confirmation is a test result or doctor's confirmation that the person has recently (during last 3 months) recovered from Covid-19 and is not infectious, which must be presented to the carrier, such as the airline, otherwise the person will be denied boarding.
Do commercial carriers also have to present a negative Covid-19 test when performing their duties?
No, this requirement does not apply to employees of transport and passenger service providers and members of the crew of passenger, cargo or technical flights, including courier service providers, in the course of performing their duties.
