Latvia has declared a three-month state of emergency following a surge in Covid-19 infections to record levels, as its vaccination rate remains one of the lowest in the European Union, reports AFP.

The number of daily infections is now well over 1,000 in the Baltic country of 1.9 million people, overtaking the peak infection rate seen during the pandemic earlier this year.

Under the new rules, masks are now obligatory in all buildings accessible by the general public and anyone employed in government must have a vaccine by November 15 at the latest.

Unvaccinated people will not be allowed into supermarkets and only shops considered essential will be allowed to open at weekends.