RIGA, March 26 (LETA) - The Cabinet of Ministers today took notes of the criteria for lockdown in case the epidemiological situation deteriorates considerably, prepared by the Crisis Management Council's secretariat.

Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) said that the prepared D+ Concept will be put into force if the epidemiological situation deteriorates significantly, like in Estonia or other countries who are facing the third Covid-19 wave. 

D+ Concept provides for very harsh restrictions and it will be activated if one of several criteria comes true - 14-day cumulative Covid-19 incidence rises by 20 percent, 14-day cumulative incidence reaches 600 cases per 100,000 residents, bed occupancy in hospitals reached 70 percent or occupancy of beds in intensive care exceeds 70 percent.

If any of these criteria comes true, a draft decision is prepared on restrictions in four days, and the government approves the decision three days before they take effect. The restrictions will be in force for 21 days.

The Crisis Management Council secretariat proposed that if the epidemiological situation deteriorates significantly, residents will have to stay at home in their household, and leave home only in case of necessity.

One-hour long walks will be allowed twice a day within a distance of three kilometers from home. 

Only foods stores, pharmacies and fuel stations will remain open. Cafes may provide takeaway meals.

All sports and culture events would be cancelled. Only professional sports trainings are allowed outdoors. Outdoor museum exhibitions, nature trails and outdoor sports facilities would be closed.

All schools would ensure remote learning, except for preschools for children whose parents cannot stay at home.

In this scenario, all international passenger transportation by air, land and water would be stopped, as well as all tourism services.

The goal of the concept is to prevent or steeply reduce spread of the Covid-19 infection, reduce the number of Covid-19 cases and the number of imported Covid-19 cases, as well as the number of hospitalized people and deaths.