The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) approved a €150 million loan to Latvia to support the government’s policies to contain the outbreak of COVID-19 and ease budgetary pressures on the public health care sector.

The Latvian authorities have already approved measures totalling €1.8 billion to help fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. These include the acquisition of disposable protective equipment, medical supplies, and non-invasive ventilators.

The funds provided by the CEB will provide support in the area of health care, aimed at protecting medical personnel involved in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 as well as other persons working in high-risk environments.