Moki-veži stores are no longer open: according to the ministry, parts of the stores cannot function

On Monday, it was announced that the Moki – veži stores had been converted into three “small formats”, according to government requirements, the store area would reach 300 m2. meters with direct access from the field.

However, the retail chain is closed on Wednesday, with stores closed.

A spokeswoman for the National Center for Public Health assured that the authority had not made any decision in this case: “Perhaps they have been evaluated and closed.”

Eglė Berteškaitė-Gružauskienė, Marketing Director of the Makveža company, which runs the retail chain, explains that he has asked the Ministry for a more detailed explanation.

“On Monday evening, after additional information and comments from the responsible persons appeared regarding the renewal of the decision on the organization of the retail trade during the quarantine, Moki – veži decided to return to the trade remotely after evaluating possible threats, that is, we serve customers, but there is no access to stores.

However, in view of the uncertainties that followed the government’s decision and the fact that competitors operate and shoppers have access to the store, we have asked the responsible ministries for more detailed information on how and which retail market participants can trade and under what conditions. Safety requirements and equal opportunities on the market are guaranteed, ”explained E. Berteškaitė-Gružauskienė.

Other hardware stores had opened their doors even before the quarantine releases went into effect. For example, Depo stores indicate that there are food, hygiene and animal feed departments.

Senukai stores have food departments and it is possible to pick up the products ordered online.

The Hermitage reported Monday that brick-and-mortar stores are currently closed, and it is unclear if they could operate in the near future. “We will monitor the situation,” said a spokeswoman for the network.

Šimonytė: not all divisions are possible

On Wednesday after the government meeting, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė assured that the resolution is very clear for traders.

“We are talking about a total area that is documented as a commercial area. And therefore not all divisions or otherwise are possible deductions, for which there is even a special definition of what a commercial premises is, which is included in the 300 km2. meters. In my opinion, any other manipulation is not an attempt to evade the ruling, but a violation of the ruling, and should be investigated by the relevant institutions in a specific case, ”said I. Šimonytė.

Ministry: Parts of stores cannot operate

“After strict quarantine restrictions, the desire of the company to work at full capacity is fully understood. However, a government decree allows to operate stores with a sales area that does not exceed 300 square meters and that have a direct entrance from the outside or have a separate entrance that can only be used by the customers of that store. Therefore, the decree provides for the possibility of operating for stores and not for parts of stores whose commercial area (that is, commercial rooms for customer service and merchandise display) does not exceed 300 m2. m ”, specified the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (EIM).

Compliance with this requirement is monitored by the police and municipal public order departments, as well as other authorities, EIM reported.

“The resolution provides for the possibility of operating for shops, not parts of shops,” confirmed Skaistė Barauskienė, advisor to the Minister of Economy and Innovation.

Clarified that a specific retail area in a particular facility is determined by property management documents.

“The responsible authorities, who supervise compliance with the conditions of the quarantine order, have the right to evaluate each case of the commercial area separately and decide on a possible violation of the quarantine. We remind you that stores can make purchases online when the merchandise is delivered to your home or delivered to collection points. We look forward to the cooperation and understanding of businessmen, as each case of abuse complicates efforts to further liberalize quarantine rules, “EIM comments.

Starting this Monday, the government will allow stores, kiosks and pavilions to operate in premises with a commercial space of no more than 300 square feet. m, and for those that have a direct input from the field or a separate input used only by customers of that store.

The sales area is the area of ​​the sales room for customer service and merchandise display, including measuring booths. The sales area does not include the area of ​​administrative premises, warehouses and auxiliary premises, workshops, stairways, sanitary premises.

The Ministry of Economy and Innovation announced Monday that authorities would be guided by ownership documents due to different interpretations of the current 300-square-foot limit by stores.

“The specific sales area on a particular object is determined according to the property management documents. The responsible authorities that supervise compliance with the conditions of the quarantine order have the right to evaluate each case of the commercial area separately and make a decision on a possible violation of the quarantine conditions, ”the Ministry of Economy sent a comment. Innovation.