Updated list of affected countries – COVID-19 mutations: Iceland removed

The list of affected countries continues to include countries where mutations have been detected, as well as EU countries marked in red on maps by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Iceland, Guadeloupe, Reunion, and Martinique have been removed from the list of affected countries. In the case of Norway, only Oslo is considered an affected region.

New coronavirus mutations are already being reported in many EU and world countries, but the spread of new coronavirus mutations is a cause for concern in 7 countries around the world: Ireland, Denmark, UK, Netherlands, Brazil, Israel and South Africa.

Persons arriving from affected countries will continue to be required to have a test result performed within 48 hours. prior to arrival, or to carry out an investigation upon arrival in Lithuania. Isolation for 14 days is also mandatory, with the possibility of shortening the isolation on your own after 10 days of the study.

Exceptions

Exceptions are provided when testing and / or isolation requirements do not apply. It is important to note that the exemption can only be applied in the foreseen cases and when the purpose of the person’s trip is related to the performance of the work functions foreseen in the exemptions or to the provision of essential needs.

All persons covered by isolation exemptions must have proof of the anticipated exemption, which will be made available to specialists or officials of the National Public Health Center (NVSC) who verify compliance with isolation requirements upon request.

Even for those persons who are exempted from conducting investigations or isolation, the number of persons with whom communication is required will be limited to 14 days from the date of arrival in the Republic of Lithuania. It is recommended that workers only go to work and home if there is no possibility of working remotely. In communication with other people, the requirement to wear protective equipment that covers the nose and mouth: masks, respirators or other means, as well as maintaining a safe distance and other general measures for the prevention of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

It should be noted that all persons, crew members and crew members in transit through Lithuania working in companies engaged in international commercial transport or carrying out international commercial transport in all types of vehicles do not need to be isolated or carry out an investigation.

Those who are sick or vaccinated according to the full vaccination schedule also do not need to be examined or isolated if they have a certificate from a medical institution or a vaccination certificate (with translation into Lithuanian, English or Russian) of arrival or vaccination.

For exceptional occupational groups, people who cross the border daily for work, study or study, who arrive for important medical reasons or important family matters (funerals or visits from terminal patients), only a coronavirus test is required. The list of such exceptions is shorter for foreigners from third countries.

Different isolation conditions

It is important to note that different isolation conditions persist for those from countries where mutations are prevalent and from other affected countries.

The conditions for isolation in countries affected by mutations are stricter: it is not possible to walk and leave the isolation area when a person needs urgent medical attention and therefore goes to a medical institution, as well as to a mobile point.

With permission from the National Public Health Center (NVSC), people in isolation can go to funerals or care for terminally ill patients, change the location of isolation, or go to a health care facility for other health care services. People arriving from countries where virus mutations have spread can isolate themselves in a separate apartment or house, on another well-insulated floor of a single apartment or house, or in a separate isolated room with a separate bathroom.

Isolation is only possible with people who travel together, except for minors who can live with relatives who do not travel and who have to isolate themselves for the same period.

Arrivals from other affected countries can walk 1 km, leave the isolation zone without informing or permission from the NVSC according to the established list of reasons. In addition, they can be isolated in the same apartment with non-traveling family members, only in another room, which restricts movement in the home and reduces the sharing of common space.

Why Entry Conditions Are Tightening

Stricter measures have been taken for travelers in light of the latest risk assessment published by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). As the ECDC emphasizes, viruses are constantly changing due to ongoing mutations. Some of them do not play a major role in spreading the virus, but others can make the virus spread faster or cause a more serious form of the disease. Currently, several mutations in the coronavirus that cause COVID-19 are being observed around the world, threatening a higher rate of spread and the consequent deterioration of the epidemiological situation.

Based on the latest information available, the probability of such coronavirus mutations entering and spreading in the EU is considered high or very high. And given the higher rate of spread of the mutated coronavirus infection, this is likely to increase the number of hospital admissions, as well as the number of deaths, especially among those at risk, such as the elderly and those with chronic diseases.

To curb the risk of new coronavirus mutations entering and spreading within countries, along with other non-medical coronavirus prevention measures, ECDC recommends eliminating unnecessary travel and strengthening measures for travelers, including testing and isolation. , especially in areas where there are new mutations of the coronavirus. spread is observed.