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Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė affirmed that other countries are already talking about the complete closure of the borders, some of them have already made this decision. Therefore, it will be proposed to the Government to suspend all passenger flights.
“Today, the WESC held a meeting to assess the situation and the problems surrounding the COVID-19 virus, which is mutating in the UK and spreading very rapidly. And the fact that our neighboring countries decided to shut down, the Poles They decided to make that decision tomorrow, Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy have already made such decisions.
Thus, at the meeting of our commission, the decision was made to suspend all passenger flights to Lithuania and to present such a proposal to the Government, ”the Interior Minister said at the press conference.
Minister A. Bilotaitė announced that an informal meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers would take place today.
“I have to say that there will be an informal meeting of the Government today. We will probably decide specific dates, on other things. I think it will be clear when the meeting takes place. It could be today, it could be tomorrow,” said the Interior Minister.
Several thousand people have already arrived in Lithuania from the UK. Interior Minister A. Bilotaitė stated that the same rules will apply to them.
“The situation with the mutation in the COVID-19 virus reached us today and we reacted promptly, which is why we are meeting today for the WESC meeting. (…) At present, there is the same procedure for people who have already arrived: being at home, not moving without unnecessary reasons, not leaving home and not moving between municipalities. These are the same general requirements that apply to all people in Lithuania, ”said A. Bilotaitė.
Transport and Communications Minister Marius Skuodis added that he would be allowed to leave Lithuania to return to the UK.
“At least according to those formulations, entry to Lithuania from the UK would be suspended and exit until then,” the minister said.
Until now, M. Skuodis did not want to predict when the last flight to Lithuania from the UK could take place.
“The decision will be made by the Government, I do not want to point out in advance, but there are several options: the last flight can be tonight, there is a possible option and a later date. It is important that all dates are currently being coordinated with neighboring countries so that the bans come into effect at the same time, ”said Transport Minister M. Skuodis.
How many people would touch?
The Minister of Transport and Communications, M. Skuodis, said in a remote press conference that this decision is also being coordinated with other states.
“We are intensely coordinating our actions with neighboring countries, Chancellor Gabriel Landsberg speaks with his colleagues, different ministers at his level. We expect other actions from other countries in the near future, not just those mentioned, ”he explained.
M. Skuodis specifically mentioned how many Lithuanians could be affected by this proposed solution.
“It is very important to immediately assess how many citizens and travelers could be affected by such a decision. These forecasts show that next week we can expect 5 thousand passengers arriving in Vilnius from different UK airports, 1,700 passengers in Kaunas and 350 passengers in Palanga. That is, such a decision, if adopted by the Government, depending on when it comes into effect, could affect that circle of citizens, “said the Minister.
Mr Skuodis emphasized that other countries also decided to close the borders, and a joint EU decision was likely to be taken.
“It really is the best advice to stay at home right now, because otherwise you really have the power to face very high obstacles when traveling,” he said.
The government is expected to make its final decision on Monday.
With the spread of a new strain of coronavirus in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Belgium have already banned flights from that country.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, from December 14 at 1 p.m. until this Sunday at 1pm. 3,485 passengers arrived in Lithuania from Great Britain: 2,139 people arrived at Vilnius airport, 1,346 arrived at Kaunas airport.
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