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With the spread of a new strain of coronavirus in the United Kingdom (UK), the Lithuanian government will be asked to suspend all passenger flights from that country. It is not ruled out that flights from the United Kingdom will be suspended the next day.
This was announced on Sunday evening, after the emergency meeting of the Government Emergency Commission (WESC) convened by the Minister of the Interior Agnė Bilotaitė.
“At our commission meeting, a decision was made to suspend all passenger flights to Lithuania and to present such a proposal to the Government,” A. Bilotaitė told the press conference.
She argued that neighboring countries Estonia, Latvia, had already decided to suspend Britain’s air services, just as the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy, and Poland, according to her, would decide on Monday.
The Minister of Transport and Communications, Marius Skuodis, affirms that Lithuania is actively coordinating its actions with neighboring countries.
“We expect actions from other countries in the near future, not just the ones that have been mentioned. And, of course, taking into account all the information we have, at least the Commission for Emergency Situations has proposed that solution to the Government, ”said M. Skuodis.
According to him, it is also important to assess to what extent citizens’ decisions could be affected. Some 7,000 passengers are expected from Great Britain next week.
“Our forecasts show that next week we can expect 5,000 arrivals to Vilnius from different UK airports. passengers, to Kaunas – 1.7 thousand. and 350 passengers can arrive at Palanga airport. In other words, such a decision, if or when it is adopted by the Government, depending on when it comes into force, could affect that circle of citizens ”, explained the Minister of Transport and Communications.
“At the moment, the best advice is to stay at home, otherwise you may encounter very high obstacles when traveling,” he recommended.
The ministers have not yet been able to specify the dates of the decisions.
“Today there will be an informal meeting of the Government and apparently we will decide on specific dates and other things. I think it will be clear when the meeting takes place. It can be today, it can be tomorrow. Today, only an informal meeting is planned, ”said A. Bilotaitė.
However, Minister M. Skuodis did not rule out the possibility of decisions being made in the next few hours.
“I don’t want to point out in advance, but there are several options. The last flight may be tonight, the last to arrive. There is a possible option and a later date. And here it is very important that currently all dates are coordinated with neighboring countries. This is probably the most important aspect for the bans to come into force at the same time, ”said M. Skuodis.
A report released by the Interior Ministry (MoI) states that the specific dates will be clarified after the government’s decision, which is due to be taken on Monday.
For people who have already arrived from Great Britain, there are general requirements
When asked what is provided to British citizens who have already arrived, A. Bilotaitė stated that the same procedure applies to them as to everyone in Lithuania.
“Restriction of movement, that is, first of all, make sure you are at home and without any unnecessary reason, well, make sure that they do not move anywhere, do not move from home and do not move between municipalities, that is, the same general requirements that apply to everyone in Lithuania. ” – said the Minister.
“The most important of which, if I may add, is that two households, that is, two groups of people living together, cannot establish contact and stay in touch, which is exactly the same requirement that applies to everyone,” added M. Skuodis.
According to the Interior Ministry, this week (from December 14 at 1:00 p.m. to December 20 at 1:00 p.m.) 3,485 passengers from Great Britain arrived in Lithuania: 2,139 people at Vilnius airport and 1,346 at Kaunas airport.
According to M. Skuodis, it is not planned to stop the exit to the United Kingdom.
A. Bilotaitė indicated that a meeting of the SESC is also scheduled for Monday, where, among other things, the situation will be discussed with the restrictions established for this weekend in travel between municipalities.
“We will listen to the evaluations and suggestions of the Police Department about how well we have done, because this weekend there was, as we say, a kind of dress rehearsal before the festive periods, we must self-evaluate how it went, what were the problems, what were the challenges, “he said. .
According to her, the commission will also discuss the movement across the Lithuanian-Belarusian border.
“There will be an issue related to the change of the Belarusian border regime, since from Monday new things will appear, which are related to the fact that the people of Belarus will no longer be able to come to Lithuania. And we only find out the possible challenges and possible risks, ”said the minister.
The Commission will also discuss on Monday on issues related to the Astrava nuclear power plant.
“The third problem concerns the Astrava nuclear power plant and specifically the problems of water supply and drinking water supply. These are the questions. And I think we will have a constructive meeting,” summarized A. Bilotaitė.
Author Vytautas Budzinauskas
