First holidays for companies: opening of ski resorts; first, shops and beauty salons in the “next days”

The president of the Government Emergency Situations Commission, Minister of the Interior, Agnė Bilotaitė, reported that the renewal of the provision of ski center services is being considered.

“First of all, by ensuring that the distribution of the tickets is electronic, there will be a prior registration of the visitors,” said A. Bilotaitė.

Health Minister Arūnas Dulkys assured that trends and knowledge should be properly assessed, as there are still risks that can be expected.

After consulting today, we have decided that we will propose to the Government, in agreement and trust both to service providers and to individuals, to allow cross-country skiing services under the appropriate conditions. Indeed, the situation with regard to the possible spread of the virus and the number of possible new mutations is very fragile. There may not be very large releases, but they are also very important, ”said A. Dulkys.

He went on to say that the government intends to make a proposal on beauty shops and services.

“Not only grocery stores, but other non-convenience stores as well if they have an entrance from the outside and can restrict the flow of shoppers accordingly. We would like to offer the liberalization of certain services, that is, providing beauty services, but also ensuring that the relevant number of people is limited at the same time, ”said A. Dulkys.

Activities are scheduled to resume in the near future. It is true that restrictions on movement between municipalities are still valid: A.Bilotaitė emphasized that restrictions on movement between municipalities could only be released when the number of new cases of COVID-19 is less than 200 cases per 100,000. population in 14 days.

As for skiing, it is likely that an attempt will be made to convene a government meeting today, and if such a resolution were to be adopted, it would be a matter of the next few days. And as for the services and beauty trade that I mentioned, although in limited numbers, we would like to present it to the ordinary meeting of the Government this Wednesday, and also allow it in the coming days ”, says A. Dulkys.

Armonaitė: the solution to ski today

“We will propose today to the Government to decide on the outdoor ski slopes so that they can operate, the tickets will be available only online, it will also act as a registry for visitors. The duration of the visit will be limited to 2 hours, “said A. Armonaitė.

He stressed that the ski centers will only be able to serve customers from the same municipality, since circulation restrictions persist.

“Today, VESK has decided on the ski centers, and since the season is short, the centers are ready to open, we want to make a decision in the government today. (…) If we accept today, it will come into effect tomorrow, and then it will depend on the preparation of the ski centers that will open ”, reported A. Armonaitė.

She noted that people are already taking advantage of the opportunity to ski, be outdoors, and the offer will only cover outdoor ski resorts.

“I just think that people still enjoy snow and winter anywhere in Lithuania, skiing, and in the municipalities where these centers operate, they will be able to use such an organized service,” said A. Armonaitė.

Shops and beauty salons will be discussed further, to be decided on Wednesday

For beauty shops and services, the latest information will be reviewed in consultation with experts.

“Once there is a common position, we can make informed decisions about beauty services and stores. (…) I can’t answer, today we just agreed on the addresses. This week what can I say, we will discuss and decide, and when the decisions come into force, it will be clarified later “, – A. Armonaitė did not mention specific dates.

He explained that the decisions will be made jointly between the government and the “vision” of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation: decide this week, and it is expected that the services will be available soon.

“The Ministry of Health has taken into account and included in its plan the proposals of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation for the possible opening of beauty services, as well as the possible opening of points of sale, especially those with access to the outside, we will comment on it in the Government this week, “said. A. Armonaitė.

The obligation to resume business to evaluate employees is likely to fall heavily on the shoulders of the company itself.

“EIM is looking for ways that it can contribute to offset testing, but it is not our typical business, we hope to find opportunities to contribute. (…) Some companies are already testing their employees effectively and therefore controlling the spread of the virus, we will work together to ensure testing capabilities, ”said A. Armonaitė.

The country’s ministries prepared their proposals for a plan to ease quarantine restrictions last week. If the plan is agreed on Monday, it could be approved at a government meeting on Wednesday, representatives of the Health Ministry said last week.

Previously, A. Dulkys has mentioned that the activities of the service sector could resume when the number of cases is less than 150 cases per 100 thousand. population and 200 cases would be collected for stores.

And the Ministry of Economy and Innovation presented a more ambitious proposal to the Government to open ski resorts on February 1, and renew the provision of beauty services and open stores on February 8.

“Our goal is to give companies the opportunity to work, but at the same time to ensure effective management of the pandemic,” said Interior Minister A. Bilotaitė.

The quarantine was announced in Lithuania on November 7 and December 16. Tighter restrictions have been introduced. The quarantine was extended last week until the end of February.

On January 30, morbidity in the country fell to 467 cases per 100,000. population in 14 days. It has already been reported that over the weekend, Lithuania went from worst quarantine scenario “D” to scenario “C”; This describes the situation in which the incidence is greater than 100 cases per 100,000 cases. population.

According to the recommendations of the expert group, in this scenario, the trade is possible by limiting the flow of customers and applying special requirements, reducing the risk of infection, and employees must be periodically examined.

In the service sector, the recommendations are the same as in Scenario D, with only remote and contactless services available. Catering establishments could also continue to provide take-out only.