Kasiulevičius: quarantine should be gradual, three weeks may not be enough

“It was ideal to adopt it earlier, but better later than ever, because the situation is really one that requires some pretty tough action. The quarantine should affect growth, it should break the curve, “said V. Kasiulevičius in an interview with Lithuanian Radio on Thursday.

The professor said that quarantine measures are quite strict in various sectors, their essence is to limit contacts, and then the quarantine should be gradual. According to him, the ideal way out of quarantine would be if Lithuania reached 200 new cases per day instead of the current 600-800 and more.

“In two weeks or so, it will be seen if there is a stabilizing effect of the quarantine, if it is, it is worth discussing whether to extend it, then we could talk about a gradual exit, you can not go suddenly, you need to apply a plan exit from quarantine “.

He also noted that most countries are introducing a six-week quarantine, although schools are still operating in other countries, such as Germany. In Lithuania, the education of dogs, except in kindergartens and primary classes, is carried out remotely.

“Three weeks is the period during which you can see the effect of the quarantine, ideally if we reach 200 cases a day, but three weeks may not be enough. “Usually countries that introduce quarantine speak for at least six weeks, but I also understand the government, which is under pressure from various groups in society to support a slightly shorter quarantine,” said the professor.

On Wednesday, the government decided to introduce the quarantine for three weeks starting on Saturday. Catering and entertainment activities other than takeout will be prohibited. Sports competitions should be held without spectators, other events and meetings are prohibited, stores can continue to operate by restricting customer flows. Masks may be required in public places for groups of up to five people, excluding family members.

With the rapid increase in new coronavirus cases in Lithuania in recent weeks, the two-week morbidity has reached 341 cases per 100,000 cases. population.