Today, the portal lvrobeza.lv will once again allow bookings for crossing the border through the Paternieki checkpoint. This was announced by the State Border Guard. The border checkpoint had already resumed operations the day before after resolving technical issues. Since July 31, border control had been impossible due to failures in the information systems. According to the border service, vehicle owners with active bookings have already received invitations to arrive at the border crossing point. The resumption of bookings means that the operation of the crossing is gradually returning to normal after nearly a week-long break. However, the future of Paternieki remains uncertain. On Tuesday, the government did not make a decision regarding the proposal from the Ministry of the Interior to temporarily close the only car crossing point on the Latvia-Belarus border. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs stated that in August, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defense will conduct additional preventive measures to strengthen the protection of the European Union's external border and curb illegal migration. He noted that the option of closing Paternieki is still being considered, but has not yet been confirmed. The Prime Minister emphasized that the main flow of illegal migrants does not pass through the official crossing point, but through the 'green' border. Thus, it is now again possible to cross the border through Paternieki and book time in advance; however, the authorities have not yet made a final decision regarding the further operation of the checkpoint. Until the end of the year, an enhanced security regime remains in effect at the Latvia-Belarus border due to ongoing migration pressure from Belarus.
