Already on Friday, the government will decide to declare a state of emergency in the country, it previously announced Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (JV). If the government decides on the emergency on Friday, it could take effect on Monday, November 9th. Although Kariņš has expressed confidence that a state of emergency has been declared, there is still no consensus in the statements of his coalition partners.
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It was at the beginning of the first week that the Prime Minister told reporters that it was time to consider declaring a state of emergency in the country. However, the ruling coalition partners expressed a more cautious stance. It is expected that when deciding to declare a state of emergency, the government could impose stricter restrictions on catering and entertainment activities.
Rely on experts
Minister of Health Ilze Ņķele (AP) explained on Thursday that a state of emergency could be declared precisely because of the legal framework provided by this situation. At the same time, it could help the public to be aware of the seriousness of the situation.
“The introduction of an emergency is not in the Ministry of Health’s recommendations. We offer certain epidemiological security measures or restrictions that experts believe could stop the infection. “said Nike.
Meanwhile, “For Development / For!” Co-President, Minister for the Environment and Regional Development Juris Pūce will rely on expert judgment to declare a state of emergency.
Raivis Dzintars, Chairman of the Board of the National Union “All for Latvia!” – “For Fatherland and Freedom / LNNK” (NA), told the portal “Delfi”: Assessing the potential impact of each scenario on the economy, education and other areas of societal importance will require informed and reasoned decisions. ” This political force is represented in the government by the Minister of Agriculture Kapars Gerhards and the Minister of Culture Nauris Puntulis.
It should be added that President Egils Levits has also expressed his support for the emergency situation. He acknowledged on Wednesday after a meeting with the prime minister that the government should be given more power to impose restrictions on the spread of Covid-19.
Looks critically
Minister of Welfare Ramona Petraviča (KPV LV), through the communication adviser Jānis Zariņš, indicated to the portal “Delfi” that on Tuesday it was not yet ready to support the declaration of a state of emergency. The minister also does not support many of the planned restrictions, which will be discussed on Friday.
“It simply came to our notice then [otrdien] was below 4%, so there is currently nothing to declare an emergency. If the indicators go up, then it will have to be reassessed. But at the moment, I do not believe that a state of emergency should be declared and companies should be closed, “the Minister emphasized.
The Minister of Justice Jānis Bordāns (JKP) told Delfi that on 3 November it had not yet been clearly defined what would be included in the emergency. The politician stressed that the emergency threatens to halt the economy. Bordan therefore rhetorically asked whether targeted containment was possible in the current situation.
The Minister also emphasized the need to find a balance between public security and the economy. “Another aspect that we see is that the measures already in place are not being followed,” Bordan said, adding that the Ministry of Justice and its subordinate institutions have a very small number of illnesses due to various security measures. “If the restrictions are only on paper and are not controlled, then we come to an escalation of the disease,” the politician said.
The Minister of Justice also highlighted the role of the residents of Riga in reducing the spread of the infection, noting that if the residents of the capital comply with the set restrictions, then there will be no need to declare a state of emergency in the country. The Minister acknowledged that it is always easier for politicians to declare a state of emergency, but it is necessary to think about the economy.
It is on the issue of economy that Bordāns has the greatest objections, because he has not received an analysis of the possible impact of the emergency situation on the economic situation in Latvia.
At the end of the conversation, the Minister summed up that the issue of declaring a state of emergency still remains open and will be discussed on Friday.
What does an emergency mean
An emergency situation had already been declared from 12 March to 9 June to limit the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
The Law “On Emergency and Emergency” provides that an emergency situation is a special legal regime, during which the Cabinet of Ministers has the right to restrict the rights and freedoms of state administration and local government institutions, natural and legal persons, as well as impose additional responsibilities.
A state of emergency may be declared in the event of a national threat related to a disaster, its threat or critical infrastructure, where the security of the state, society, the environment, economic activity or human health and life is seriously endangered.
A state of emergency is declared Cabinet of Ministers for a fixed period but not exceeding three months. The Cabinet shall revoke the decision regarding the declaration of a state of emergency before the specified time if the threat to the state has been prevented or overcome. The Cabinet shall notify the Presidium of the Saeima of the decision on the lifting of the emergency situation.
Depending on the type, intensity and nature of the state threat, as well as when the size of the endangered territory changes, the Cabinet of Ministers shall make appropriate amendments to the decision on the emergency situation. The Cabinet of Ministers has the right, if necessary, to extend the declared emergency situation for a period not exceeding three months.
The declaration of an emergency situation may be requested by the Crisis Management Council, the ministry responsible for the sector, the municipal council.
The Cabinet shall notify the Presidium of the Saeima within 24 hours after its adoption of the decision regarding the emergency situation or amendments to the decision regarding the emergency situation, if additional territorial or legal restrictions are required, as well as regarding the extension of the declared emergency situation. The Presidium of the Saeima shall immediately include the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers on the emergency situation or on such amendments to the decision on the emergency situation which determine additional territorial or legal restrictions, as well as on the extension of the declared emergency situation.
If, when considering the decision referred to in this Section, the Saeima rejects it, the relevant decision shall become invalid and the measures introduced in accordance with it shall be immediately revoked.
7328 Covid-19 tests were performed in the last day, 313 new cases were registered, as well as six deaths, according to the information compiled by the SPKC.
World Health Organization (WHO) named the new coronavirus disease. It is called Covid-19. The name is made up of the words “corona”, “virus” and “disease”. The number 19, in turn, indicates the year in which the outbreak of the virus began. The first reports of the virus outbreak appeared on December 31 last year.
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