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Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė hinted at a remote press conference on Friday that the quarantine regime in some municipalities could be changed in the near future.
“So far, we are not discussing the resumption or liberation of the movement very intensively, and for various reasons: both the general epidemiological situation, which is not yet perfect, and the fact that we are dealing with individual municipalities, where the epidemiological situation It is much better than the Lithuanian average and it is improving. [susitarti] about a possible separate regime, ”said the Prime Minister.
These municipalities, he said, could have a more liberal quarantine regime than that announced at the national level.
“Of course, in exchange for the municipalities’ commitment to carefully monitor, test, isolate, focus and apply other control measures,” added Šimonytė, who said that a quick reaction from the municipalities is important if the COVID-19 situation is to be deteriorates.
Consider the quarantine somewhere too strict
The inhabitants of those municipalities where the COVID-19 situation corresponds to scenario “B” can expect a relaxation of the restrictions – here there are 100,000 new cases of the disease in 14 days. the population is recorded at 25-100.
National quarantine measures for such a local assessment at a particular location may seem a bit too strict.
“When the Lithuanian average is 400 and part of Lithuania is between 400 and 500, it is obvious that the national quarantine measures in a local assessment of this type, in a specific place, can seem a bit too strict,” commented I Šimonyt. .
Under Scenario B, by restricting the flow of people, municipalities could operate museums, theaters, exhibitions and cinemas, open catering establishments, and stores that sell more than just food.
It is true that the Prime Minister stressed that these solutions do not yet exist, there is a debate.
And if the quarantine regime is differentiated by municipalities, then the possibility of free movement between municipalities, according to the Prime Minister, would create additional risks.
“So far no decisions have been made on this issue, but the debate is taking place, the debate took place yesterday, the debate will also take place next week.
If that scheme can be put together, then liberalizing movement restrictions would mean additional risks. I understand that circular municipalities are not too affected by this, but the principle must remain common, ”commented I. Šimonytė.
The order of movement between municipalities, according to her, could only be changed some time later: “We will probably talk about the reduction of movement restrictions already at a later stage.”
Plans for scenario “A” were also discussed.
Živilė Gudlevičienė, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė’s health adviser, informed the BNS news agency that the relaxation of quarantine in municipalities is scheduled to be decided on Wednesday at the earliest.
“That upcoming deliberation is believed to be a decision to be discussed at a government meeting on Wednesday,” he said.
Photo by Julius Kalinskas / 15min / Živilė Gudlevičienė
According to the advisor, the plans for the release of quarantine were discussed this Thursday by the Council of Government Experts with the municipalities and the possible scenarios for the so-called “green” municipalities, when the number of infections in two weeks is 100,000. . population under 25 years of age.
This indicator corresponds to scenario A, when there are almost no bans left, except for certain restrictions on the entry and exit of visitors from Lithuania and the management of visitor flows in public institutions and mass events.
What is the green zone or stage A is basically unrestricted.
“What is the Green Zone or Scenario A basically has no restrictions. Yes, everything could work, but I want to say that mayors are also more careful.
Each municipality could possibly make their own decisions about who can operate for them and what else should be under scrutiny, ”Ž.Gudlevičienė assured.
So far, there are no municipalities belonging to the green zone according to COVID-19.
It is not intended to strengthen border controls
Although a more rapid spread of the COVID-19 strain has been detected in Lithuania, some EU countries including Latvia, is assuming stricter controls on arrivals, at least not yet planned in our country.
According to the Prime Minister, there will simply be more intensive checks at airports, and airlines will also be asked to ensure that all visitors complete questionnaires from the National Center for Public Health.
Photo of Sigismund Gedvila / 15min / Empty Vilnius Airport
“As the flow of arrivals by air or by sea is currently not very high, we believe that stricter administrative measures will be able to control that flow and ensure that people are first registered for testing and then their isolation is maintained,” said I. Šimonytė.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the idea of an immunity passport.
“We don’t discuss it very intensively for a very simple reason, because we cannot offer a wide range of vaccines, nor can we offer people a choice: either you get a certain privilege when you travel and do some activities, or you don’t,” he explained the first Minister.
As Lithuania does not currently have enough vaccines, according to I. Šimonytė, it would not be very logical to have such a passport.
An immunity or vaccination passport is being discussed at the EU level.
The prime minister said likely decisions on such a document would only apply to international travel, so that people could move freely from one state to another.
“Within the country, I hope that we can resolve and manage the situation without this additional passport,” said I. Šimonytė.
Remote press conference:
VIDEO: I.Šimonytė: quarantine release plan – Monday
The issue of tighter arrival control became relevant with the spread of the faster-transmitting British variant of COVID-19 in Europe.
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