Against new restrictions, residents are flocking to stores: congestion is building, stores are lengthening working hours

Queues of cars are forming

Delphi the photographer visited various shopping malls in Vilnius. The general mood on the streets of Vilnius is tense, people are in a hurry, like two days before Christmas.

The Depo store parking lot located on Ukmergės street is full, there are only vacancies in the places reserved for employees. However, the queues of buyers that form at the entrance of the store are not noticeable.

The parking lot at the nearby Big Mall is not full, there are still vacancies, but the photographer noticed some minor infractions of the traffic rules (KET). No one has been seen waiting outside here.

Ukmergės st. The parking lot “Senukai” is full, the traffic is very slow, it is regulated by the employees.

Similar situation near the Ozas shopping center. It is no longer possible to enter the parking lot, there have been traffic jams.

Delphi The photographer also visited the Akropolis shopping and entertainment center. The photos show a crowd of people walking inside, a queue of cars forming at the entrance.

Part of the parking lots near the supermarkets are still blocked. For example, a closed door meets an entrance to the Ozas shopping center. It is true that parking lots will disappear soon, as parking restrictions near supermarkets will expire on Wednesday.

How Delphi The prime minister’s spokeswoman, Rasa Jakilaitien, clarified that previous resolutions on restrictions on points of sale, as well as the restriction on parking, will expire on Wednesday.

The previous resolution established that only 20% of the parking spaces near shops, supermarkets, markets and other public points of sale could be occupied. parking spaces, excluding spaces for staff and the disabled.

On Monday afternoon, the Senukai Mall announced extended opening hours. Some stores in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda will be open until 11 pm

Quarantine restrictions clarified

On Monday, the government clarified restrictions on the tightening of the quarantine, which will take effect on Wednesday.

According to the draft, the following requirements will apply as of Wednesday: The operation of stores is prohibited, including stores in shopping and / or entertainment centers, markets and other public outlets.
This prohibition does not apply to: stores (including stores in shopping and / or entertainment centers) whose main activity is the sale of technical veterinary, pharmaceutical, optical and orthopedic equipment; food trade in markets and other public outlets; online trading and when the goods are delivered to natural and legal persons or collected at collection points.

Also adjusted by area per buyer. 15 square meters. meter. commercial space per visitor or no more than one person is served at a time.

Stores, including shopping and / or entertainment centers, markets and other public outlets, whose activities are not prohibited, must be 15 m2. meter. the commercial space is served to a visitor or more than one person is not served at a time and other conditions are guaranteed to manage traffic flows, maintain a safe distance, the necessary public health, safety, hygiene, provision of people with the necessary personal protective equipment established by the manager of emergency operations at the state level ”,.

Traders urge not to go to stores.

Merchants are prepared for the possible increase in customer traffic these days and remember that strict flow restriction requirements are in place. Therefore, buyers are asked not to go to stores so as not to form a queue next to them.

“Merchants, for their part, will implement all the requirements, even though it will be painful for business. But at the same time, we want to ask shoppers: stay aware, stay home, and stay out of stores these days. Our own conscience it is the best weapon against further uncontrolled spread of the virus.

Closing stores doesn’t mean you won’t be able to buy the products you need or prepare for the holidays. Since the spring quarantine, merchants have invested heavily to enable shoppers to shop safely online.

Some have been opened, while others have strengthened the existing e-commerce channel so that buyers can purchase products conveniently and quickly. Therefore, without waiting for the new quarantine requirements to come into effect, we invite everyone to stay serious and move holiday shopping to the electronic space, ”says Rūta Vainienė, director of the association that unites merchants, in a Press release.