Georgia simplifies entry rules for foreigners

6 Feb, 2021

From February 1, foreign citizens who have completed a full course of vaccination with any covid vaccine can enter Georgia.

Citizens and residents of EU countries, Israel, Switzerland, USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain (both direct and transit flights) will also be able to enter the country if they have a negative PCR test, which must be carried out within the last 72 hours. On the third day of their stay in Georgia, they will have to undergo re-testing.

The entry rules for Georgian citizens are also changing. In the absence of a PCR test, they will not have to be in self-isolation for eight days. If there is a negative result of the PCR test, they will be able to take a second test on the third day of their stay in Georgia and stop the self-isolation regime.

Restrictions to enter Latvia in force from 11th to 25th February

5 Feb, 2021

From 11 to 25 February, only essential travel to Latvia is permitted. Passenger transportation to and from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Portugal is suspended.

In view of the increasing risks of the spread of the COVID-19 virus and in further efforts to restrict the disease, on 5 February, the Cabinet approved amendments to Cabinet Order No. 655 of 6 November 2020, Regarding Declaration of the State of Emergency. According to the current set of amendments, only essential travel to Latvia shall be permitted from 11 February to 25 February 2021.

As of 11 February, entry to Latvia from the European Union Member States and the European Economic Area Member States, the Swiss Confederation, and the United Kingdom through international passenger carrier services or by a private vehicle is permitted for urgent and essential reasons only: work, studies, family reunion, in order to receive medical services, transit, accompanying a minor, return to ones permanent place of residence, attending a funeral. In addition to showing that person travelling have submitted their information at covidpass.lv, documents proving the purpose of entry will have to be presented to the State Border Guard or the State Police. The traveller will not have to present the documents if information that confirms any of the above-mentioned purposes of entry is already available in Latvian national information systems. For instance, information on the person’s place of residence in Latvia can be checked in the Population Register of Latvia during immigration control.

Entry to Latvia by a private vehicle is allowed for Latvian nationals, nationals of the European Union, the European Economic Area, the Swiss Confederation, the United Kingdom, and permanent residents of the European Union who have a residence permit in Latvia.

From 11 February to 25 February, all international passenger transportation, including passenger transportation for repatriation purposes, through airports, ports, and by buses has been suspended to and from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Portugal – the countries where the spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 mutation has been detected and the incidence of COVID-19 has rapidly increased as a consequence.

The epidemiological safety requirements currently in force still apply to those entering Latvia for the above-listed urgent and essential purposes.

New entry rules to Czech Republic

5 Feb, 2021

From February 5, 2021. The Government of the Czech Republic is introducing a new system for determining the countries at risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and new rules for the entry into its territory of passengers arriving from those countries. Countries are divided into red, orange and green zones, according to the risk of spreading Covid-19.

Arriving from the countries of the red zone, including Latvia, must provide a negative result from an antigen or PCR test for Covid-19, made no more than 48 hours before arrival in the country.

New face masks rules for passengers traveling to Germany

27 Jan, 2021

From February 1, when flying to Germany, it will be necessary to use surgical masks or masks and respirators with a protection level of at least FFP2. They are also known as KN95 or N95.

COVID 19 rapid tests are required for passengers travelling to or via Amsterdam

24 Jan, 2021

From January 23, all passengers who are travelling to or transiting via the Netherlands are required in addition to the negative PCR test taken not more than 72 hours before the departure, also show a proof of a negative rapid COVID-19 test taken not more than 4 hours before their departure. Good news for passengers flying with direct flights from Riga to Amsterdam, testing facility is open during the days when direct flights are scheduled. The testing facility is opened 3 hours before the flight. Our clients can book and prepay the test. The test cost is 25EUR. Without pre-booking, we advise to arrive at the airport at least 3.5 hours before your departure time to leave sufficient time for all the testing procedures.

Only COVID 19 PCR test is valid for entry Latvia

22 Jan, 2021

From January 25, upon entering Latvia, only one type of test will be valid, namely, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The PCR test is widely used worldwide because it is the most internationally recognized method for the detection of COVID-19.

As previously reported, from January 15, in order to enter Latvia, a confirmation of a negative COVID-19 test result is required and this must be noted in the filled-in covidpass.lv questionnaire. The test must be performed not earlier than 72 hours before boarding the carrier’s vehicle or before crossing the Latvian border individually, for example, by private auto transport. Persons who have contracted COVID-19 must present a doctor’s certificate confirming that the individual is not infectious in order to enter Latvia.

Observing the requirement of 10 days of self-isolation and other epidemiological safety instructions of the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control after entering from abroad with a high risk of infection remains the same.

Entry requirements to the UK due to withdrew from the EU

17 Jan, 2021, No comments

The UK withdrew from the European Union, which means that travel rules for EU and UK citizens will change in the future. In the future, in the case of a short-term tourist trip or a private visit to the UK (up to 6 months), as before, citizens of the European Union will be able to enter the UK without a visa. In relation to non-citizens of Latvia, the rules have not changed - a visa is required. The 6 month period of stay in the UK is not limited to any specific period as is the case with the Schengen countries (90 days within six months for a multiple entry visa). Until further notice, when crossing the Latvian border by air travel with a direct flight to the UK, children (citizens of the Republic of Latvia) will also be able to travel to the UK as before, with a passport or ID card in hand. Additional documents are not required, regardless of whether the children are traveling alone or with an accompanying person. In October 2021, the UK plans to introduce a rule according to which the entry of citizens of the European Union into the UK will only be possible with a passport. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia advises to use a passport for further trips to Great Britain.

It will be easier to plan travel to EU countries from Latvia

13 Jan, 2021, No comments

Starting from January 15, it will be allowed to carry out direct international air, rail, bus passenger transportation from Latvia to all countries of the European Union and countries of the European Economic Area, as well as Switzerland and the UK. In practice, this means that in the future, carriers will not have to cancel flights from Riga within the EU and countries of the European Economic Area, as well as Switzerland and the UK, based on data from the Center for Disease Prevention and Control of the Republic of Latvia.

From Monday, AirBaltic will resume flights to Vilnius and other EU countries to which travel was previously banned as well as bus carriers Lux Express and Ecolines will resume their routes to Lithuania.

Test is for COVID19 is mandatory for entering Latvia

11 Jan, 2021

From January 15, all passengers traveling to Latvia, regardless of the transport they plan to use, will need to present confirmation of a negative coronavirus test result. To prevent the introduction of the virus, it is stipulated that upon entering Latvia, there must be a confirmation of a negative COVID-19 test result. The test should be carried out not earlier than 72 hours before boarding a carrier’s vehicle or before crossing the Latvian border individually, for example, by personal auto transport.

Proof of a negative test (test result, medical certificate, antibody test result certificate, or other medical document proving that the individual is not infectious) must be presented to the carrier, such as an airline; otherwise, any individual shall be denied boarding.

When entering Latvia by private car, a mark on a negative test result must be in the filled-out Covidpass.lv questionnaire. The Latvian State Border Guard or the Latvian State Police will check the compliance with this requirement randomly.

There are also exceptional cases determined when the test is not required before entering Latvia: children under 11 years of age, individuals who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, employees and crew members of carriers, seamen going to or from their place of work, transit passengers who do not leave the controlled area of an airport, and representatives of the diplomatic corps. The test will also be not required for borderland residents who cross the border daily for work, education, and similar needs and can provide proof of employment or education.

The condition on 10 days of self-isolation and other epidemiological safety instructions provided by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control of Latvia must be followed after entry from abroad with a high risk of infection remains unchanged.

Renewed webpage of Express Line

20 Dec, 2020, No comments

Welcome to our renewed webpage. Further on you can find information about the activities of our company, as well as various news and offers will be posted here.

We are working remotely

6 Nov, 2020

Due to the spread of coronavirus, wishing to ensure the safety of our partners and customers, starting from November 9, we work remotely, but no less efficiently :) As usual, we are available 24X7. Take care of yourself and your loved ones and we hope to see you soon!

COVID 19 Interactive Travel Regulation Map

1 Jul, 2020, No comments

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), an authoritative trade association for airlines around the world, has created an interactive Travel Regulations Map powered by Timatic solutions that allow both airlines and travelers to quickly see current COVID-19 travel restrictions for each country around the world.

When users click on a country, they’ll find information about current border policy, including if quarantine periods are necessary, exemptions, and any documentation or testing that could be required upon arrival. The Travel Regulations Map sources its information from airlines and government agencies. Therefore we advise to counsult us for accurate border information before your travel.