RIGA, Jan 12 (LETA) - The government on Tuesday decided not to change its earlier decision on mandatory masks for primary school pupils of grades 1-4, underscoring that Covid-19 incidence in Latvia is high, and wearing of masks at schools is a necessity to curb the virus, said Health Ministry's spokeswoman Anna Strapcane.

Wearing of masks is safe and does not pose any threats to health of young pupils, said health sector experts.

Primary school pupils will return to schools on January 25, and both teachers and pupils will have to wear masks at all times while at school.

Similar requirements have been introduced also in other countries - Luxembourg, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria. 

As reported, on December 21, the Saeima asked the government to revise its decision about mandatory masks at schools because more than 27,000 signatures were received from residents against it.