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According to Mindaugas Sinkevičius, president of the Lithuanian Municipalities Association (LSA), Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė put forward the idea of such an experiment at a remote meeting on Monday, and the mayor of Jurbarkas put forward a similar proposal.
“In some municipalities, the number of infected has already decreased significantly, they are the pioneers in terms of the number of new cases detected, its decrease or almost nonexistence, that is why it was agreed that at the municipal level,” M.Sinkevičius told BNS.
According to him, this means that in one or more of those municipalities, for example, Jurbarkas, Akmenė, Jonava, preschool educational institutions and small businesses could operate again.
However, it is important to note that travel restrictions will be maintained. Thus, the entry and exit of residents of this municipality will continue to be controlled. Therefore, for example, after allowing the Jurbarkas hairdressers to work, it will not be possible to go to them for a haircut from Vilnius or Kaunas, ”explained M. Sinkevičius.
At the meeting it was agreed that a group of experts convened by the Government in the near future will discuss the details of such a possible mechanism together with the Association of Municipalities, announced the government press service.
“There are more and more municipalities where the number of diseases is approaching zero or has already reached it, some of them are next to each other, therefore, the possibility of allowing them to release certain contact activities faster than it will be done in Lithuania. Be considered. This would involve testing and control. Access to these municipalities will continue to be restricted, “I. Šimonytė said in the report.
According to M.Sinkevičius, such an experiment would be carried out in one or more municipalities, and the necessary government decisions could be taken next week.
“If we do not receive a negative assessment from epidemiologists and health experts, decisions can be made at the beginning of next week, and at the end of it there will be one or more municipalities that will be able to enjoy a somewhat liberated life, “M. Sinkevičius said.
According to him, among the municipalities where such an experiment could be carried out, Jurbarkas, Akmenė, Jonava were mentioned.
Of course, this will not be a concert of wishes for the municipalities that want or offer. The specific indicators will be strictly observed and only the municipalities that currently demonstrate the least number of diseases will be able to participate ”, said M.Sinkevičius.
According to him, if successful, such a “bubble” could include several neighboring municipalities in the future, if they do not have coronavirus hot spots and a minimum number of new diseases will be established.
“Of course, it cannot be ruled out that such an experiment could morph into an increasing number of coronavirus diseases. If this happens, the experiment must be stopped immediately and the strict restrictions must be returned,” said the head of the LSA.
In Lithuania, the quarantine was announced on November 7 last year, its regime has been tightened since December 16 and is currently valid until the end of February. The country has closed many shops, sports and leisure venues, restricted the movement of people between municipalities and gatherings both at home and in public places.
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