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Based on the data available on the supply of the COVID-19 vaccine, mass vaccination of the population could start in late spring, says Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė.
“From the supply promises or commitments of the manufacturers, which are unfortunately still changing, we see that it will already be possible to start that broader vaccination of people not by some categories, but simply by the general public at some point in the end. of spring”. I told Radio News on Thursday Šimonytė.
We see that it will be possible to start that broader vaccination of people not by any category, but simply by the general public sometime in late spring.
However, he said it is difficult at this time to say how long it will take for the majority of the population to get vaccinated, which makes it easier to plan vaccination programs for specific age groups.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the vaccination of groups over 70 will be crucial in deciding on releases, as it will protect the most vulnerable populations, for whom the virus is most dangerous.
According to the latest data from the Department of Statistics, so far almost 133 thousand people in Lithuania have received the first dose of the vaccine. population, both doses – almost 70 thousand. population. Currently, people over 80 years of age are vaccinated in Lithuania.
The improvement in the situation is hampered by greater mobility and virus strains
The slowdown in the epidemiological situation may have been caused by increased population mobility, the British strain of coronavirus was found in Lithuania, says Prime Minister I. Šimonytė.
“The simplest link is that last Monday part of the services and also part of the non-food points of sale, smaller stores, were opened. And we have seen very clearly the significant increase in the mobility of people from day one, ”the prime minister told News Radio on Thursday.
It can be assumed from the mobility data that these contacts are intensifying.
According to her, mobility has largely returned to pre-holiday levels and increased contacts allow the virus to spread.
“You can assume from the mobility data that these contacts have really intensified,” he said.
Cases of the British strain of coronavirus were also reported in Lithuania on Wednesday night. According to I. Šimonytė, this can also lead to a stagnant decline in cases.
In the near future, he said, more data is expected to assess whether this variety has spread only to specific areas, or “we can speak of a broader expansion throughout the country.
“Now probably the main question is where the trajectory will move: will we be able to keep it as tight but stable and maybe start to reduce it by doing tests, or will we see some bounce again, which, of course, would not be very good news?” said I. Šimonytė.
He said he had high hopes of expanding the scope of the tests. According to I. Šimonytė, antigen tests should arrive in Lithuania next week, as well as the preparation of the procedure for cumulative tests, which allows efficient examination of large equipment, is being completed.
“The Minister of Health has expanded preventive tests. (…) We have included in the PCR test a list of such large groups of people who have potential contact with other people and we will try these methods, if they work, to look a little more creatively at the situation and change the situation. limitations, ”said the Prime Minister.
The quarantine changes went into effect Thursday, allowing face masks to no longer wear out and movement bans between metropolitan areas and surrounding ring municipalities to remain.
The amendments adopted by the government stipulate that from now on it will be possible not to wear masks in open areas, where a distance of at least two meters between people is maintained. The requirements for wearing masks indoors do not change.
On Wednesday, the government extended the restriction of movement between municipalities until March 15, at the same time that it removed these restrictions for residents of the adjacent municipalities of the city and the district of Alytus, the city and the district of Kaunas, the city and district of Klaipėda, city and district of Panevėžys. Šiauliai City and District, Vilnius City and District.
The day before, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė reported that these changes in the Government would take effect on Thursday, at which point the possible exemptions discussed above, for example due to the opening of cultural institutions or some larger stores, would be adopted only after of epidemiology. improved situation.
The quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic in Lithuania has been extended until the end of March.
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