RIGA, Dec 4 (LETA) - The local government of Valka county on the border with Estonia has asked government not to apply the retail restrictions for weekends to Valka town, the local government's spokesman Ivo Leitis reported.

The local government has sent a letter to Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity), the Crisis Management Council, Finance Minister Janis Reirs (New Unity) and Economics Minister Janis Vitenbergs (KPV LV).

The local governments asks the government to consider the special status of Valka and Valga twin cities. The current restrictions adopted in Latvia to ban sales of alcohol, tobacco products and other goods that are not necessities at weekends and on holidays will not improve the epidemiological situation, but deteriorate it, said Valka county chairman Vents Armands Krauklis (Vidzeme Party).

He said that Valka and Valga is one economic space, many stores in Valga are just a few meters away from the Latvian border. Restrictions in Latvia will make customers' flow to Estonian part increase. As a result, the number and concentration of shoppers in stores will increase at weekends as many shops in Valka will be closed or sell restricted range of goods.

"Already now we see that a considerable part of catering customers have switched to Valga because Estonia has no such restrictions in public catering as Latvia. The goal to curb Covid-19 is not reached, but the situation of Latvian business representatives is worsened," said Krauklis.

As reported, the government today plans to discuss inaccuracies in the range of products that will be allowed in stores during weekends and holidays.