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After May 3, there may be more exemptions for residents who have a negative COVID-19 test, says Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė.
Speaking to journalists at Visaginas this Friday, he emphasized that the concept of the so-called “Passport of Opportunities” presented by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation includes already approved benefits for those who have survived and been vaccinated against COVID-19, and provides a future. benefits for examinees.
Of course, this could happen after May 3, so my speeches must be interpreted, because now the Government has made decisions for two weeks, during which the Ministry of Economy and Innovation and various other ministries have to discuss and agree on solutions. logistics. Because we can say yes, we need to have a negative test, the question is whether we will have testing capabilities without expanding them, ”said the Prime Minister.
Already on Friday’s visit to the municipality, he said that those with a negative test “could communicate more actively, visit each other and participate in other activities together without risking” and cited the possibility of having lunch inside a cafe or restaurant as an example.
However, for the mechanism to work, according to I. Šimonytė, it is necessary to foresee that both the test and the answer can be received by the population quickly enough “so that the risk is minimal”.
“So far, I don’t see such opportunities if municipalities try to expand those capacities, especially in big cities (…), then I think that this scheme could realistically start operating in early May. What activities: the government has not yet agreed. And that example of restaurants was just one example, as it is in some other countries, ”said I. Šimonytė.
The government offered this Wednesday, among other exemptions, relief for people with immunity: as of April 22, they will be able to choose groups of up to 10 people, organize celebrations, excursions, visit people in health centers and hospitals. It is allowed to rent premises for celebrations of this type of people.
These exemptions are linked to a passport issued by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation.
The ministry says such a passport would allow catering services and events to take place both indoors and outdoors, open sports clubs to more people and allow private celebrations if more than two households are involved.
As stated in the concept, an electronic document would guarantee that a person is vaccinated, sick and immune or has a negative COVID-19 test.
According to the ministry, rapid antigen tests or PCR would be suitable for testing, the test could be one-time or periodic, and the state would pay for the tests.
The passport is expected to be prepared within two to three weeks by the Registry Center, which manages e. Health System. Later, it could be integrated into the planned immunity certificate of the European Union.
Author Ignas Jačauskas
