Due to mutated strain of COVID-19, visitors from 6 countries will need to be tested

The tests will be mandatory for returnees from 6 countries.

Following reports of a mutated strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) in tissue farms in Denmark, Spain, Italy, the US, the Netherlands, and Sweden, Lithuania has been in effect since November 16. take additional preventative measures and introduce a requirement for those coming from these countries to take a COVID-19 test.

The order signed by the Minister of Health on Friday obliges all travelers, without exception, from Denmark, Spain, Italy, the United States, the Netherlands and Sweden not to have before 48 hours. a laboratory test for COVID-19 and a negative response within 24 hours prior to arrival or within 24 hours. from arrival to enroll in such study in Lithuania. This can be done by calling the Coronavir Hotline at 1808 or the COVID-19 Laboratory.

Until a negative test result is obtained, the person should be isolated.

The Ministry of Health (SAM) notes that this preventive measure is being introduced temporarily until the mutated strain of coronavirus detected in animal farms has been investigated by experts and its threat to human health evaluated.

Updated list of countries

The updated list of affected countries, which will come into effect on Monday, November 16, does not include Slovakia, which, along with Lithuania, is in the red zone. When Lithuania enters the red zone, only the countries and regions in the gray zone are considered affected countries: Northern Ireland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, as well as all third countries. Isolation or testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) infection is required upon arrival in affected countries.

HERE you can see a virtual map of the affected countries, developed by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) according to the traffic light principle.

Depending on morbidity and other indicators, foreign countries are divided into green, yellow and red zones. Countries that do not provide data to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control or that have 300 or fewer tests per 100,000 population fall into the gray area.

Currently, countries in the gray area are included in the list of countries affected by Lithuania. People arriving or passing through these countries are considered to have been in contact and are subject to 10 days of isolation or are required to be present no earlier than 48 hours in advance. The COVID-19 test was carried out before arrival in Lithuania and the negative response was received.

Third countries (countries outside the European Economic Area) that are not included in the maps of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control are included in the gray area.

Those who travel by air passing through the affected countries without leaving the airport transit area will not be considered to have had contact.

Travelers on scheduled, special and charter trips on international routes organized and operated by carriers must register on the website of the National Center for Public Health (NVSC) (https://keleiviams.nvsc.lt/lt/form) and before getting into the vehicle to send the carrier a confirmation of the completed electronic questionnaire (QR code), and in other cases, no later than 12 hours after the time of return or arrival in Lithuania, you must register in the NVSChttps://keleiviams.nvsc.lt/lt/form).

The list of affected countries is published every Friday and goes into effect on Monday.

LIST OF COUNTRIES AFFECTED BY COVID-19 DISEASE (CORONAVIRUS INFECTION)

* Territories without state status