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“It is important to note that people who go to certain institutions, be it churches or stores, must first assess personal risk and make an informed decision,” the adviser told reporters Wednesday after meeting with health experts.
According to him, the resumption of public services by the church is allowed by the government’s quarantine requirements.
“In this case, it is necessary to comply with the established quarantine requirements and to allow the planned change from next week in accordance with the quarantine requirements established by the Government,” said S. Krėpšta.
“The order of religious rites is set out in a separate special clause in the current government quarantine measures, which offers a recommendation that Masses can take place remotely or as planned starting next week,” he said.
On Tuesday, the Lithuanian bishops made the decision to resume public services from January 11, but promised to limit the number of believers in churches, admit only people with face masks, and maintain safe distances.
Public services were suspended in the country by decision of the Lithuanian Episcopal Conference in mid-December.
According to the lawyers interviewed by the SNB, the Constitution establishes that churches and religious organizations are free to perform their rites and behave in accordance with its canons. The Catholic Church has a special legal status due to the agreement between Lithuania and the Holy See signed in 2000.
According to this, the government cannot regulate the life of the church, so the quarantine decree leaves only recommendations for churches and religious communities to celebrate mass remotely.
The lawyers say that the decision to resume the public mass is formally allowed, but it is not known if it is correct given the epidemiological situation.
Lithuania has a stricter quarantine regime until January 31. He closed many stores, hairdressers, restricted the movement of people and meetings.
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