Nausėda discussed the response to the second wave of coronavirus with European leaders

European leaders discussed how to strengthen contact traceability, develop effective strategies for testing, recognition of rapid response antigen tests, and vaccination.

“At the previous European Council, leaders agreed to strengthen the overall response to the second wave of coronavirus. To successfully prevent the spread of a pandemic, we must make and implement decisive decisions, adequately inform the public about them, and share good practices. In the near future, it will be very important for all countries, including Lithuania, to develop national testing and vaccination strategies based on the recommendations of the European Commission ”, the report quotes the Lithuanian leader.

According to the Presidency, G. Nausėda supported the pandemic management plan presented by the European Commission and the decision to allocate 100 million. for rapid COVID-19 tests.

He also recalled that Lithuania is already following some of the measures set out in the EC plan: general recommendations on the movement of citizens both at national and EU level, as well as the practice of dividing regions according to the extent of the spread of the pandemic.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that the EC is calling for better coordination of infection detection and traceability across the bloc.

He also announced that Brussels had allocated 100 million euros. to perform rapid coronavirus tests to help Europe fight the second wave of the epidemic.

Coronavirus antigen tests are not considered as reliable as PCR tests when sending nasal swabs to labs, but they are much faster – results are available at the test site in 15 minutes. Furthermore, European experts believe that the virus is currently spreading too fast to rely on investigations that could take several days.

The president raised the issue of the provision of test and protection equipment in member states, noting the importance of ensuring its effective supply at the EU level. The head of state also pointed out that the implementation of the principle of mutual recognition of evidence would be guaranteed throughout the EU.

The president reported that Lithuania, along with other member states, would purchase such a quantity of coronavirus vaccine that it would be enough to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the country’s citizens. The president highlighted the importance of ensuring the availability of the vaccine for the neighboring countries of the EU, with special attention to the countries of the Eastern Partnership.