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President Gitan Nauseda calls for an immediate tightening of quarantine restrictions to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, says his top adviser, Simon Krėpšta.
“The tightening is aimed at reducing meetings between people … The restrictions are directed at points of sale, places of education, workplaces and family communication,” the adviser told reporters on Sunday.
“In the president’s opinion, these proposals must be implemented immediately,” he added.
The head of state discussed the situation with members of the Council of Health Experts on Sunday. The meeting was also attended remotely by Prime Minister-designate Ingrida Šimonytė, Health Minister candidate Arūnas Dulkys, Deputy Health Minister Kristina Garuolienė and Acting Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis Health Advisor Jonas Kairys.
S. Krėpšta stated that outgoing Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis and Health Minister Aurelijus Veryga were also invited to the meeting, but did not participate.
According to the presidential adviser, the meeting also discussed the issue of introducing the state of emergency, but it is not yet planned to propose it.
“A state of emergency is needed to be able to introduce curfews that restrict any movement during certain hours of the day. This proposal has been debated, it is not specifically proposed at this time, but if the situation worsens, no one is protected, it is necessary to take equally strict measures, ”said S. Krėpšta.
According to him, the intention is to limit education as much as possible, as well as to restrict trade in non-food stores.
“In education, it is proposed to limit it as much as possible (…) There is a specific proposal to restrict non-food trade, particularly on weekends, starting Friday night,” said an adviser to the head of state.
Mindaugas Stankūnas, a professor at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), says the quarantine effect is being felt, but stricter measures are needed as the increase in cases persists.
“If it were not introduced, we would see different numbers, we can see that we have very little to change that situation,” M. Stankūnas told reporters.
According to him, one of the recommendations is to limit meetings as much as possible.
“One of the recommendations is to limit the meetings between homes as much as possible, which means that there should be no communication with friends or other families,” said the doctor.
It also recommends the use of protective masks at home if at least one member of the family suffers from coronavirus, among other things, recommending ventilation of the premises every hour.
According to M. Stankūnas, the introduction of a curfew has been considered, but is expected to be avoided.
“We still hope to avoid such a thing,” Stankūnas said.
Non-food stores are proposed to be closed over the weekend
Edita Sužiedėlienė, a professor at Vilnius University, says the expert council proposes to close non-food shops on weekends and thus restrict the movement of people.
“The group of experts proposes to consider, at least as a minimum tightening measure, the closure of non-food outlets – stores, except pharmacies, veterinary, optician, orthopedics, on weekends and Friday afternoons from 5 pm, “E. Sužiedėlienė told reporters.
According to her, it is also suggested to think about the time spent buying people at risk.
“To give that risk group some protection from the general flow of shoppers at the points of sale,” said the professor.
According to her, it is necessary to ensure remote work in the workplace, stricter control of work during quarantine.
“The proposal would be that telework is compulsory for all institutions, not only public, but also private, where it could be guaranteed, where there are opportunities,” said E. Sužiedėlienė
There is also a proposal for stricter controls on the organization and compliance with the quarantine conditions in the workplace, proposing the adoption of quarantine work plans with a clear list of non-teleworkers, one worker per room and, if not it is possible, mandatory masks. , restricted contacts in common areas, mandatory contact registration, as well as an action plan in the event of a COVID-19 case, “he added.
Give beginners a first vacation
LSMU professor Kęstutis Petrikonis says that due to the threat of the spread of the coronavirus, beginners are offered to leave early.
“We suggest announcing the holidays and adding them to the Christmas holidays,” said the professor.
He said that seniors should study remotely.
“Basic, secondary education continues to be provided at a distance, where it is provided with some breaks, we recommend that education be transferred to a distance method until the situation improves,” said K. Petrikonis.
According to the teacher, it is also proposed to allow only those children whose parents do not have the opportunity to work remotely to attend kindergarten.
“When assessing the scientific recommendations and the situation in Lithuania, we offer preschool educational institutions, mostly kindergartens, to visit only those children whose parents or guardians do not have the opportunity to work remotely,” said the professor.
According to him, he intends to test doctors, nurses and other employees of medical institutions more frequently.
Since the start of the pandemic, COVID-19 has infected 74,000 people in the country. 649 people, 43 thousand. 313 – still sick, 30 thousand. 390 – recovered.
A total of 626 people died from coronavirus in Lithuania and 321 people died from other causes.
Author Ramūnas Jakubauskas
