Call to annul the requirement for a vaccination certificate in shopping centres
The Alliance of Real Estate Developers, on behalf of Latvia's largest shopping centres, has sent an open letter to the government urging it to assess the latest morbidity trends and data and introduce changes in the restrictions accordingly. The letter states that in Latvia, the Covid-19 virus affects both vaccinated, partially vaccinated, and non-vaccinated people equally, therefore the restrictions on the trade sector—the division of stores into "green" and "red" regimes—have lost epidemiological grounds. At the same time, the moment when regulations on the validity of vaccination certificates will come into force in Latvia is fast approaching. These regulations threaten shopping centres with a significant decrease in the number of customers and financial losses for which compensation is no longer provided.
According to the letter, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported that comparing the prevalence of the infection per 100,000 people who were vaccinated and boosted, non-vaccinated, or partially vaccinated last week, Covid-19 infection was equally common in vaccinated, non-vaccinated, and partially vaccinated people in Latvia[1]. "Throughout the pandemic, including now, shopping centres are supporting the introduction of evidence-based restrictions and security measures in stores to protect public health from the spread of the virus. However, in the light of the latest morbidity data and trends, the industry concludes that the restrictions in force from 15 November, which divide outlets into 'green' and 'red' outlets, as well as into stores selling basic necessities and others, have lost their epidemiological grounds and should be annulled.” says Mārtiņš Vanags, Chairman of the Board of the Alliance of Real Estate Developers (NĪAA).
The letter sent by the officials of NĪAA also highlights the forthcoming 15 February, when the provisions on the validity of vaccination certificates will enter into force. Currently, only 31% of the people who have completed the vaccination process in the country have received the booster vaccine.[2] - As a result, shopping centres could lose 69% of potential visitors very soon. For an industry that is already suffering losses of several million euros every month, this could result in a wave of business closures, bringing losses to the state budget and increasing unemployment in Latvia. "While trade restrictions here have remained unchanged for several months, we are seeing other European countries, such as Estonia and Denmark, lift the restriction, allowing businesses to start recovering from the crisis. This makes Latvia lose its attractiveness in the eyes of both entrepreneurs and potential investors, and in our opinion, this situation must be rectified immediately.” adds Mārtiņš Vanags.
About NĪAA
The Alliance of Real Estate Developers (NĪAA) brings together the most significant players in the industry in order to achieve the sustainable development of the real estate industry, represent it in a collective manner at the state and local government level, as well as emphasise the role of real estate developers and investors within the economy of Latvia.
For further information:
Mārtiņš Vanags – Alliance of Real Estate Developers (NĪAA)
martins.vanags@niaa.lv
According to the letter, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported that comparing the prevalence of the infection per 100,000 people who were vaccinated and boosted, non-vaccinated, or partially vaccinated last week, Covid-19 infection was equally common in vaccinated, non-vaccinated, and partially vaccinated people in Latvia[1]. "Throughout the pandemic, including now, shopping centres are supporting the introduction of evidence-based restrictions and security measures in stores to protect public health from the spread of the virus. However, in the light of the latest morbidity data and trends, the industry concludes that the restrictions in force from 15 November, which divide outlets into 'green' and 'red' outlets, as well as into stores selling basic necessities and others, have lost their epidemiological grounds and should be annulled.” says Mārtiņš Vanags, Chairman of the Board of the Alliance of Real Estate Developers (NĪAA).
The letter sent by the officials of NĪAA also highlights the forthcoming 15 February, when the provisions on the validity of vaccination certificates will enter into force. Currently, only 31% of the people who have completed the vaccination process in the country have received the booster vaccine.[2] - As a result, shopping centres could lose 69% of potential visitors very soon. For an industry that is already suffering losses of several million euros every month, this could result in a wave of business closures, bringing losses to the state budget and increasing unemployment in Latvia. "While trade restrictions here have remained unchanged for several months, we are seeing other European countries, such as Estonia and Denmark, lift the restriction, allowing businesses to start recovering from the crisis. This makes Latvia lose its attractiveness in the eyes of both entrepreneurs and potential investors, and in our opinion, this situation must be rectified immediately.” adds Mārtiņš Vanags.
About NĪAA
The Alliance of Real Estate Developers (NĪAA) brings together the most significant players in the industry in order to achieve the sustainable development of the real estate industry, represent it in a collective manner at the state and local government level, as well as emphasise the role of real estate developers and investors within the economy of Latvia.
For further information:
Mārtiņš Vanags – Alliance of Real Estate Developers (NĪAA)
martins.vanags@niaa.lv