RIGA, Jan 27 (LETA) - Local governments are playing an essential role in curbing the Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) said today during a meeting with the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments. 

The premier spoke positively of municipal leaders' assessments and proposals for combating the virus. 

Karins emphasized vaccination, restrictions and provision of support to residents and businesses as the key aspects of the fight against Covid-19. 

The prime minister told the association of local governments that although Covid-19 incidence is showing signs of stabilization, it is still too early to consider easing the restrictions. At this stage, the government might only discuss some adjustments to make the restrictions simpler and easier to understand without changing their main objective - to reduce face-to-face contacts to the minimum. 

The meeting of the local governments' association also touched on the spread of the coronavirus in Latvia's nursing homes, as well as government and EU funding aimed at supporting municipal services and functions. 

Local authorities have also asked the central government to provide a solution that would allow them to receive information about Covid-19 patients in their respective territories. 

Both Karins and Health Minister Daniels Pavluts (For Development/For) voiced the resolve to find a solution to this issue. The prime minister noted that the information about Covid-19 cases is not being provided as quickly as it should be because of the high workload of CDC employees. To deal with the problem, the government plans outsourcing call center services.