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The quarantine imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic has been lifted by the government since June 17, and the state of emergency declared in late February remains in effect.
The Cabinet of Ministers adopted that decision on Wednesday, as the trend to decrease the incidence of COVID-19 has been registered in the country since the end of April.
The government also decided to open the border with Poland starting on Friday: it will be possible to travel to this country freely without giving any reason, without having to adhere to isolation.
The situation has improved since the end of April.
“Taking into account the gradual improvement of the epidemic situation of COVID-19 both in Lithuania and in European countries, we propose to lift the quarantine throughout the territory of the Republic of Lithuania from June 17,” said the Minister of Health. , Aurelijus Veryga, during the government meeting.
The quarantine was introduced in Lithuania on March 16, the last time it was extended until June 16.
Veryga noted at the government meeting that the number of newly diagnosed coronavirus cases had been declining since late April, with the situation improving in the last week of May, and that no new cases of COVID-19 had been reported in 41 of the 60 municipalities of the country.
The government also amended the resolution on the statewide emergency on Wednesday, which was announced in Lithuania on February 26. The government also abandoned the third announced level of preparation of the civil protection system: full readiness.
The resolution on the state of emergency transposed the provisions on the entry of foreigners to the country, the provision of services, commerce, restoration and the organization of entertainment and leisure facilities, culture, entertainment, sports and other events.
Interior Minister Rita Tamašunienė noted that the resolution does not set a deadline for the end of the emergency, although most of the restrictions introduced are valid until July 16.
“According to the Civil Protection Law, the duration of emergencies is not established, so there are no very specific deadlines, but the restrictions are dated, for example, state border control is established until July 16, the points of education are also set until July 16. ” – said R. Tamašunienė.
Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis noted that in the future “an emergency situation can occur without restrictions or with all restrictions.” “If it is necessary to continue those restrictions after mid-July, it will be necessary to comply with that resolution and change the deadlines,” said S. Skvernelis.
The border with Poland is opened.
The government also agreed to lift border controls with Poland starting June 12.
“We have been talking about restoring free movement with Poland for several weeks now, of course the risks will be evaluated, but currently Poland is classified as a safe state, so the decision was made to abandon border control.” , says Interior Minister R. Tamašunienė.
Meanwhile, temporary border control at the internal border of the European Union, that is and. at international airports and Klaipeda seaport, left, i. and. Passports of arriving aircraft or ferries will be checked. The passports of people arriving by land will not be verified.
“The removal of the quarantine will leave the country in an emergency, some restrictions on border controls will remain. Special attention will be paid to third countries. The arrival of foreigners is foreseen only if a mutual agreement is reached between the states on the admission of citizens, as well as whether the morbidity rates in those countries do not exceed the prescribed requirements, “says R. Tamašunienė.
The resolution states that foreigners can enter Lithuania from European countries where the number of coronavirus cases in the past two weeks has not exceeded 25 cases per 100,000. population. The list of these states is published every Monday.
The latest list of countries from which foreigners can enter, published by the Ministry of Health, currently includes 28 states. Arriving from 26 countries, both Lithuanians and foreigners do not need isolation.
For the time being, foreigners from Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Portugal are prohibited from entering Lithuania, and those arriving from Belgium and Ireland must remain in Lithuania for 14 days.
The entry of third countries will only be considered if a mutual agreement is reached between the states on the admission of citizens.
The resolution includes the possibility of allowing foreigners from countries that do not exceed the established criteria of COVID-19 cases “on the basis of reciprocity”.
All previously established exceptions have also been transferred to the resolution, i. and. Foreigners with a residence permit and family members with a Lithuanian visa can enter the country, as well as exceptions for diplomats, soldiers serving in NATO military units, commercial carriers, journalists, artists, and others.
Event restrictions remain
In accordance with the amendments to the resolution, the conditions for the provision of services, trade in public points of sale, places of leisure and entertainment, catering, restaurants, cafes, bars, discos and other places of entertainment will be determined by the Minister of Health Aurelijus Veryga.
It is anticipated that all these activities should be carried out in accordance with the conditions for managing the flow of people, compliance with the safe distance and other conditions established by the Statewide Emergency Operations Manual.
The resolution establishes the conditions for events: until the end of June, events with a maximum of 700 spectators or participants, excluding artists, athletes, organizers, service personnel, etc., are allowed in open spaces. t., and in closed spaces: no more than 150 spectators or participants without organizers.
From July 1 to 16, events will be allowed in open spaces for up to 1,000 people and in closed spaces for up to 200 people, without organizers, artists, etc. t.
The activities of medical institutions should be organized by regulating the flow of patients and visitors, priority will be given to the remote way of providing outpatient services and direct contact with the patient is only possible when the services cannot be provided remotely due to the patient’s condition or more detailed examinations.
Treatment services can only be provided if institutions prepare and coordinate with the National Center for Public Health the institution’s plan for inpatient and outpatient services.
In the field of education, the removal of the quarantine will only apply security requirements to the activities that will take place during the summer: preschool, preschool and non-formal education of children.
Author Milena Andrukaitytė
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