RIGA, April 21 (LETA) - 93 percent of Latvian resident claim that they wear masks and keep their distance in stores, according to a survey commissioned by the Economics Ministry and conducted by SKDS pollster.

Two weeks after the small stores were reopened, customers interest remains high - there are lines by clothing and footwear, sports goods stores and stores selling those goods that were banned in the past five months.

The ministry notes that the survey shows that customers are mostly responsible in relation to their duties and obligations during shopping.

"Customers not only meet the safe shopping requirements, but also understand necessity of these restrictions that reduce the Covid-19 infection risks," the ministry said.

Economics Minister Janis Vitenbergs (PCL; KPV LV) said that the responsible action of buyers give hopes that retail can be organized safely also in the future without seriously affecting Covid-19 incidence.

The survey discovered that just 44 percent of respondents go shopping alone, 35 percent are making up a shopping list in order to reduce their stay in the store. Only 26 percent of the surveyed people use online shopping always or almost always, while 43 percent of respondents dislike or do not use online shipping, irrespective of the place of residence.

SKDS surveyed 1,005 active internet users, aged 18-75.