Light quarantine for patients infected with coronavirus or fully vaccinated: not only can they expect benefits in the future

It is true that benefits can only be expected from fully vaccinated people or those who received a positive coronavirus test no later than 180 days ago. Without forgetting that they are fully immunized, they must prove the documents that they must carry with them.

The advisor to the Minister of Health Arūnas Dulkis, Aistė Šuksta, promised the Delfi portal that more people would feel liberated in the future. We spoke with her about what relief they are waiting for now for fully immunized people and whether she will discriminate against those who have not yet been vaccinated or have not contracted COVID-19.

– What relief awaits immunized people?

– Vaccinated or sick people may hold personal celebrations in public or private spaces with a maximum of 10 vaccinated or sick people. You can participate in excursions in open spaces. There is also a rule that no more than 10 people who have been vaccinated or infected can be present. You will be able to visit loved ones in hospitals or nursing homes, depending on how the treatment center will organize the process, as each treatment center is likely to organize the process in a prepared internal order.

– Is it true that it will be necessary to document the fact of immunization?

– Of course yes. It is now possible to obtain a certificate from EHealth stating that you have been vaccinated with both doses of the vaccine or that you have had a coronavirus infection.

Through eHealth, this document can be downloaded to a mobile device or printed. If this is not possible, you can contact your GP.

– Why are benefits promised only to people who have received both doses of the vaccine (if two doses are needed)? After all, the recently approved Council of Independent Government Experts expressed the opinion that a person can be considered immunized with COVID-19 as early as 4 weeks after the first dose of AstraZeneca, although this status is lost if the person is not vaccinated. after the second dose 4-12 weeks. Why is it now said to wait for both doses?

– The experts had different opinions, suggestions and deliberations, but the decisions are made by the Government after considering all the circumstances. As in the whole of the European Union, in Lithuania the benefits apply to people vaccinated with the complete vaccination schedule – as specified by the manufacturer: in the case of two doses of the vaccine – in two doses of the vaccine, in the case of a dose of the vaccine.

Fully immunized after Comirnaty (BioNTech and Pfizer, aut. past.), Vaxzevria (manufacturer AstraZeneca aut. past.) and Moderna vaccines, followed by Janssen (manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, aut. past.) vaccines alone. This is precisely because this is what the manufacturer of the vaccine declares.

– Is it necessary to wait for the antibodies to form or is a person considered vaccinated immediately after the second injection if two doses are required?

– You are vaccinated and all benefits apply to vaccinated people immediately after the second vaccination, as partial immunity develops after the first vaccination. The second vaccine is to create maximum immunity.

– Don’t you think that such a relaxation of quarantine conditions would discriminate against the rest of society? Especially since not everyone, even those who wanted to be vaccinated, had the opportunity to do so.

– Well, you know, there are several debates on this topic. Either way, on the one hand, you’re right, because not everyone who wants to can get vaccinated. On the other hand, a future passport is projected, which, with an additional measure, that is, tests, would include those who had complied with the quarantine conditions, or, thank God, remained healthy without being vaccinated or sick. They will also have some benefits.

We are currently making ourselves free because, in the same way, those who have been vaccinated say: ‘They have vaccinated us and they will not give us anything else: because we have to wear masks, we have to keep our distances, we all have to keep restrictions. How is it here? What does that vaccine provide? ”It’s so easy, we are moving to the next step. Just as we are approaching a rapid step toward mass vaccination. We hope that all this will motivate the population to be actively vaccinated when they have the opportunity.

– So COVID-19 tests showing that a person is healthy will also be factored into future benefit sharing?

– Yes. The third planned complement in the system is the third option, that is, having a negative result, which will provide such opportunities. But, as you know, the Passport of Opportunities is curated by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation. The prime minister also said today that she is awaiting proposals from the ministry on Monday. It would be very difficult for me to comment on how and what will happen.