On Thursday, 12 March, the Presidium of the Saeima made a decision regarding precautionary measures in response to the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. Members and employees of Parliament are invited to comply with the recommendations of the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to prevent and mitigate the threats posed by Covid-19.
Members and employees are advised to refrain from travelling to countries and territories affected by Covid-19 and to carefully consider the need to travel to any country where cases of Covid-19 have been reported, taking into account developments and changes in the situation. Currently, most work-related travel previously confirmed by the Saeima is suspended.
The Presidium has also decided to postpone indefinitely the events approved in advance. However, the Plenary Sittings and the Committee Sittings of the Saeima are not cancelled. Until 13 April 2020, tours and informative and educational events are cancelled at the Saeima with the exception of events that have received a special approval from the Presidium.
Furthermore, the decision of the Presidium sets out the possibility that employees may perform work remotely in certain cases for certain periods if there is a potential risk for the virus to spread.
A number of preventive measures have already been introduced at the Saeima to limit the risk of virus spread. Every day, workplaces and surfaces are cleaned using the disinfectants recommended by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, hand disinfectants are placed at the highest-risk public areas (cafés, bathrooms, police posts), and, after meetings with large numbers of participants, work surfaces are disinfected and rooms are ventilated regularly.
Due to the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 and following recommendations on its containment, the Visitor and Information Centre will not receive visitors until 14 April.
The Saeima follows carefully the latest developments concerning the virus spread in order to, if necessary, adopt new risk mitigation measures.
Saeima Press Service