RIGA, Feb 10 (LETA) - Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) supports the proposal to allow schoolchildren to return to classrooms in regions with fewer Covid-19 cases, but stresses the necessity to check the real incidence of coronavirus infections in each municipality. 

"I think that this is a logical and correct approach," Karins said in an interview to the Morning Panorama program of Latvian Television. 

The Education and Science Ministry proposes resuming in-person learning in n those municipalities where the cumulative 14-day number of Covid-19 cases is below 200 per 100,000 population.

LETA was told at the ministry that schoolchildren in grades 1 to 6, as well as 12th-graders might resume in-person learning in municipalities where the cumulative 14-day Covid-19 incidence is below 200 per 100,000 population, while kids in grades 1 to 3 might return to classrooms in municipalities where the Covid-19 incidence is up to 400 cases per 100,000 population.

Karins said that the government has not yet made its decision regarding the Education and Science Ministry's proposal because epidemiologists question the correctness of Covid-19 incidence figures, warning that some Covid-19 cases might go undetected simply because people are not being tested for the virus. 

The government therefore considers introducing testing algorithms to obtain objective Covid-19 incidence data, Karins said, adding that opening schools in areas where Covid-19 incidence is only seemingly low could result in a major disaster. 

Commenting on the debate about keeping or lifting the weekend curfews, Karins said that tomorrow Interior Minister Sandis Girgens (KPV LV) will come up with proposals for an efficient use of human resources for the control of Covid-19 restrictions.

As for the National Alliance's proposal to disburse a one-time support of EUR 500 per each child to all families, Karins agreed with Finance Minister Janis Reirs (New Unity) that such a support should not be provided to everyone but only to those who are suffering because of the Covid-19 crisis.