RIGA, Nov 15 (LETA) - Representatives of Law And Order - Aldis Gobzems and Karina Sprude - have presented their valid Covid-19 certificates to the Saeima Mandate, Ethics and Submissions Committee that allow them to participate in the work of the parliament.

A couple of hours ago, they had not done it yet, but before the extraordinary parliament meeting today the MPs informed the responsible parliament committee that they have the certificates proving Covid-19 vaccination or recovery.

Thus, there are four Saeima lawmakers without valid Covid-19 certificates - Valerijs Nikonovs (Harmony), Janis Adamsons who has been accused of spying and does not participate in the parliament work, Julija Stepanenko (Latvia First) and Romands Naudins (National Alliance).

Gobzems wanted to speak at the committee meeting, but was not allowed to do that. He said later that the ban on parliament speakers to participate in the work of the Saeima without Covid-19 certificates is "fascist". He said that he is not vaccinated and he does not plan to get vaccinated.

As reported, the committee chairwoman Janina Kursite-Pakule (National Alliance) informed that Stepankenko has presented a negative test result, but the law provides that a parliament lawmaker is allowed to participate in the work of the parliament with a negative test result only if there is also an opinion of a medical commission that the person may not be vaccinated.

The legislation stipulates that, as of November 15, a Saeima member may participate in sittings of Saeima and Saeima committees after he or she presents to Saeima Mandate, Ethics and Submissions Committee a Covid-19 certificate confirming that he or she has been vaccinated against or recovered from the coronavirus, or an opinion of a clinical university hospital specialist recommending postponing vaccination for a certain period of time, together with a negative Covid-19 test.

Payment of monthly wages and compensations will be suspended for lawmakers who are not able to work at the parliament.

The bill will remain effective until July 1, 2022.

Saeima Presidium will assess the need to maintain such restrictions at least once every two months.