It is proposed to extend the quarantine until the end of the year: stricter restrictions await, non-food stores close

According to the acting minister, since the number of new cases is only increasing every week, the existing quarantine measures are not enough.

“It just came to our notice then. Next week, on Monday, the COVID-19 Steering Committee will review the quarantine conditions and arrangements,” Veryga said.

Later, on his Facebook account, A. Veryga wrote about how the quarantine measures will be tightened:

“We have just agreed with Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis on what specific quarantine measures will be discussed Monday morning in the COVID-19 committee chaired by the Prime Minister.

A much stricter quarantine in Lithuania will be decided unequivocally, as the current ones are no longer sufficient. On this occasion, in order to reduce overcrowding, stricter measures, almost analogous to the spring quarantine, we will propose to apply in all public places, places of commerce and services, to establish stricter requirements for the educational, cultural and other areas.

The strict quarantine should take effect as of the following Wednesday, December 9, and we propose to continue the quarantine until December 31.

More on the proposed measures.

In shops, supermarkets, markets and other places of public commerce and territories adjacent to them, higher requirements are set for commercial space, that is, instead of 10 m2. meter. set of areas:

– 15 square meters. m., when the total commercial area is 10 thousand. kv. meter. or less per visitor and no more than one person is served at a time;

– or 30 square meters. meter. commercial area, when the total area is more than 10 thousand. kv. meter. per visitor or no more than one person is served at a time.

We also suggest establishing additional guidelines.

It is recommended to increase the number of cash registers in operation in all stores, supermarkets, markets and other public outlets and service points so that there are no more than 5 people in line and families go only one.

Irresistible and more rigorous alternatives.

The first alternative. 20 square meters. It must be provided in stores, supermarkets, markets and other places of public commerce and territories close to them. meter. the sales area is attended by a visitor or is attended by no more than one person at a time and other measures of flow management, safe distance, necessary public health, hygiene and others are ensured.

The second alternative. It is the same as during the spring quarantine. The activities of shops, supermarkets, markets and other public points of sale are prohibited. This could only be the case for:

– shops whose main activity is the sale of food, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, optical items and orthopedic technical equipment;

– food trade in markets and other public outlets;

– for online trading and when the goods are delivered to the collection points.

You will also be offered:

– no additional exemptions for leisure services – no longer exemptions for individual physical activity. The exception would be kept only for high-level sports activities;

– in state and municipal institutions, establishments, state and municipal enterprises, work is organized and clients are served only remotely, partial telework is abandoned, except when it is necessary to carry out work on site;

– Visits to museums, galleries and excursions are prohibited.

We will offer to organize educational activities as follows:

– preschool and preschool education is carried out with the necessary safety requirements;

– education in schools according to primary, basic and secondary education programs is carried out only at a distance, except for students educated in special schools and special classes of general education schools according to basic education programs (individualized basic education ), secondary education (development of social skills);

– Non-formal education of children is carried out at a distance or stopped;

– Non-formal adult education and non-formal vocational training are provided remotely or suspended, with the exception of practical training in aviation, navigation and driving;

– vocational training (or part of it), with the exception of initial vocational training combined with a social skills program and distance higher education studies, subject to the necessary security requirements.

In addition, today I will sign the decision of the operations manager, which will impose the obligation to wear masks also in the workplace, not only during meetings, unless there is a person in the room. “