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By government decision, these changes will take effect on July 26.
Introducing the issue during the Government meeting, Health Minister Arūnas Dulkys stated that the scope of testing should be expanded due to the spread of the delta coronavirus strain.
“It is very important for us to identify all those infected, and detection is one of the tools for early detection of infections and prevention of important outbreaks. Second, we have a dangerous and easily spreading strain of the virus and we need strengthen traceability, especially in areas where the risk of spreading the virus is high ”, said A. Dulkys.
The list of mandatory tests includes international freight transport, public transport and passenger transport, leisure and entertainment, culture, artistic services, catering services, retail workers, public administration entities, soldiers of the professional military service.
People who will be working with illegal immigrants who have recently arrived in Lithuania should also get tested.
Inspections will be required no more than every seven and at least every ten days.
No mandatory testing is required if a worker is fully vaccinated or infected with coronavirus, the health minister noted.
Furthermore, due to the spread of the delta variety, the timeframe for crew and crew members carrying passengers on international routes when they can reach Lithuania without a COVID-19 study has been reduced from 72 to 24 hours.
At the same time, it was added that the test would not be necessary if the person took longer in the territory of Lithuania due to objective circumstances.
“This hardening is being done deliberately, because we have a very low vaccination rate in these activities, so this is also a message for everyone: if we want to have more flexible conditions, we need to be vaccinated and now we are forced to make life more it lasts for the sector. ”Minister of Defense.
The resolution also clarifies the test procedure itself: if the test period expires while the employee is abroad, he will have to take the test after returning to Lithuania at the latest within 48 hours of his arrival. Employees working irregularly must take the test at least 48 hours prior to scheduled work activity.
The Ministry of Health, which initiated the changes, notes that the changes are being made to clarify new cases of the delta strain more quickly.
“Since cases of the dangerous delta strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are currently identified in Lithuania, which spreads easily, it is necessary to strengthen the urgency of these cases and the management of the COVID-19 disease, especially in those activities and sectors most at risk of spreading the virus, “the ministry said.
According to SAM, it is currently not possible to identify the number of personnel that would be required to perform the inspections, so it is not possible to estimate the additional budgetary resources required at this time.
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