S. Skvernelis: Lithuania is preparing for the second wave of coronavirus; a reserve of necessary measures is building up

See comments by S. Skvernelis and Finance Minister Vilius Šapoka after the government meeting here:

According to S. Skvernelis, even after quarantine is lifted, the restrictions set by the operations manager will remain. Suppose certain economic constraints persist.

It will depend on the situation

Speaking about the legal regime, S. Skvernelis noted that the quarantine regime is valid until June 16.

“We will also have over a week to see as we look at the situation with our epidemiological situation, and there may be changes here. I really don’t want to say what the operations manager’s decisions will be after the end of the quarantine. This will again depend on the real situation. We probably won’t guess today. Apparently, the intentions can be expressed by specialists and the Minister of Health, “said the Head of Government.

According to S. Skvernelis, the restrictions imposed on the use of protective equipment, for example, on public transport, in places of mass gathering, remain.

“For catering establishments, the operations manager also decides the conditions under which they can work. Economic restrictions: they remain in accordance with this legal regulation. I don’t think there have been many changes in this area yet. But again, in those three months since scientists talked about masks and respirators: from the need to do, not to help, increasingly, we apparently have evidence based on evidence from scientists that this is one of the tools that helps protect others in first place “. – The Prime Minister commented.

When asked if steps will be taken to prepare for a possible second wave of coronavirus, S. Skvernel explained that this is being done.

“Yes, we are already preparing ourselves from that first day. Recall that three months have passed since the declaration of emergency and, especially with the introduction of the quarantine regime, we have certainly faced the incredible challenge of providing our society with the necessary guarantees in the first place: medicines, tests, reagents, other guarantees. It was a challenge for me, we could all have forgotten what was too challenging when we had to compete between states, there was no solidarity, as I have already mentioned, about the Wild West principle, “said the Prime Minister.

Since then, according to S. Skvernelis, there is a constantly accumulated reserve.

Decisions have been made that, depending on the details and subordination of the treatment facilities, we would have a reserve for a period of 30 to 90 days.

“It will be done without additional funds already available to face the consequences.” We will have that accumulated reserve, “assured the Head of Government.

Delayed risk age

The COVID-19 Management Strategy Action Plan delays the age of people at risk by five years, with a population of 65 instead of 60.

Skvernel said he would like us to get used to another term: not a “risk group,” but “people at higher risk.”

“Secondly, it is related to the statistical situation of morbidity and mortality and its consequences in our country. If we have previously relied on the practice of other countries, the World Health Organization, these data are already based on Lithuanian practice As a result, people with a higher probability or greater risk of getting sick can increase that number in five years, depending on the real situation we have. That was done, “explained the Prime Minister.

According to S. Skvernel, the duration of the emergency is not limited by law. The head of government said it could change depending on the epidemiological situation.

If the situation does not worsen but improves, the restrictions that remain as a result of the coronavirus pandemic may change.

“Even today, if you have noticed, there are decisions about massive events, increasing the number of spectators. And these are not final decisions. They really can change,” he said.

The restrictions will remain

The government decided to lift the quarantine from next Wednesday, June 17..

However, an emergency situation is irreversible, as are the decisions of the operations manager, which impose a series of limitations.

For example, one of them defines the activities of bars, restaurants, cafes.

According to the decision of the operations manager, said institution can only work up to 23 hours indoors, the hours of work in the field are not limited.

The decision will also specify the distances to observe.

Health Minister Aurelijus Veryga publishes a list of countries from which it is no longer necessary to isolate for 14 days after returning.

The operations manager also publishes a list of high and low risk municipalities.

280 people are sick

A.Veryga assures that almost nobody doubts that the COVID-19 waves will be repeated, therefore, it is impossible to relax.

Six new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Lithuania on Tuesday.

The total number of infections increased to 1,733, the health ministry said.

280 people still suffer from coronavirus and 1,369 have recovered.

Three deaths from COVID-19 were identified on the previous day.

A total of 74 people died, and ten more died from other causes.

As of the first day of June, 14 cases of imported diseases have been registered in the country.

5319 samples of suspected coronavirus were analyzed last day, the total number of tests is 345 thousand. 392.