Riga, 26 March 2020 - The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and its subordinate institutions, taking into account the exceptional situation and related security measures, ensure the continuity of work processes through modern technological capabilities.
The Ministry, in cooperation with the State Chancery, has developed guidelines and sent guidelines to other State and local government authorities on how to organise work during an emergency. They summarise recommendations for remote work solutions, such as organising conferences or meetings online, the necessary technical equipment and its potential costs. Ministry already used the options in the guidelines in our work organisation and continue to use them in the current situation.
Ministry's and subordinate employees have remote access to your working documents using the “cloud” data storage capabilities provided by Microsoft, meetings and other consultations are held in Microsoft's “Teams” program. The circulation of documents is facilitated by the possibilities provided by eParaskta and e-address. . The recruitment process is also organised remotely at this time, for example, the National Environmental Service and the Ministry are replaced by remote video interviews online.
Minister Juris Pūce also works remotely, who is in self-isolation by March 30. However, the Minister also actively continues his work in both the government and in the day-to-day duties at the Ministry, with meetings connected digitally.
Environment Protection and Regional Development Minister Juris Pūce (AP!): “The Ministry, aware of the dangers of the distribution of COVID 19 and taking into account what has been mentioned in the government's order, organises work remotely as far as possible, both by providing an opportunity for employees to apply for remote work from home and by using technology capabilities in organising video meetings to avoid the long-term presence of several employees. in one room. The Ministry and its subordinate authorities have quickly found ways of further integrating modern technologies into day-to-day work and thereby ensuring the continuity of performance of the duties and tasks to be performed. The Ministry has also developed guidelines for both the State Administration and local governments on how to adapt more successfully to the need for remote work, and has also informed citizens about the possibilities of receiving services for digestion. In the European Union, Latvia is a country with a high degree of digital maturity and currently needs to be able to use the opportunities created by technology as widely as possible."
Security measures have also been introduced in the sub-authorities in such a way that the current tasks are not delayed. Nature Protection Board (DAP) customer service is remote, discontinued and cancelled public action. However, in coastal areas, natural education professionals are working to provide advice on seal babies encountered on the beach, to deliver injured animals to safety and to deploy informative materials with recommendations to residents. . Security measures have been introduced in the nature trails of Ligatne, visitors must purchase tickets at www.bilesuserviss.l v. The DAP has also specifically called on the public to take advantage of the extensive facilities offered by the mobile app “Nature Tourism” for recreational purposes in nature.
The VVD has made a significant contribution to its work over the last year by introducing new approaches and modern solutions. . In the event of an emergency, the new solutions are being used more broadly in order to perform their functions qualitatively in the light of the safety and precautionary measures identified. s. For example, control measures in the areas of pollution, waste and natural resources, particularly in the monitoring of the use of subterranean depths, are initially carried out remote extraction of information from the operator and different information systems, then in-depth analysis of the data by postponing an on-site inspection of the site or, if possible, organising without the presence of the operator. The new approach to in-depth information analysis allows for the detection of non-conformities not previously identified during the on-site survey, thereby improving the quality of the checks I. In internal and Baltic waters, various technological solutions are increasingly being used to control fishing vessels, such as the use of unmanned aerial vehicles more actively than ever. . Water bodies are also under intensive scrutiny and illegal fishing activities are being removed I. The whole authorisation process has also been fully implemented on the basis of e-services and electronic documents. Since 12 March, VVD has limited customer counselling and on-site visitor recruitment, providing remote consultations.
The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC) shall provide all observations in the same regime as before. Environmental monitoring is being carried out in the planned course: automated station measurement data is sent online to centralised data collection systems, passed on to all end-users, and physical sampling and transfer to the Laboratory for analysis is ensured. . Synoptics work on site, providing information and support to all areas of the economy (aviation, transport, logistics, civil protection, energy, etc.). By 14 April 2020, the National Geological Fund and the Environmental Data Archives are closed, while the Customer Service Centre continues to work under the specified precautionary measure. s. Environmental samples may still be transferred to the laboratory at the establishment. . The LVGMC provides a non-contact environmental sample (water, soil, etc.) U. Similarly, day-to-day tasks are still being performed in the LVGMC laboratory – replacement of individual dosimeters, transfer of environmental samples for testing and acceptance of other applications. . In all cases, the national security measures shall be observed.
The Latvian Natural Museum has been closed for visitors until April 14, but the works in the museum will continue – there is a renewed exhibition and preparations are being made to improve new exposures. The museum asks the public to ask questions on the museum's Facebook page (@Latvijasdabasmuseum) about plants seen in nature, animals, mushrooms, questions will be answered by museum specialists.
Visitors to the National Botanical Gardens have a closed orangeia until April 14. . But still open is the garden area, in which visitors can enjoy walks in fresh air, observing a distance of at least 2 m.
Rapporteur:
Public Relations Department
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development
Tel. 20200305, 67026533
e-mail: prese@varam.gov.lv
www.varam.gov.lv