Šimašius: What the government does goes beyond logic

„[Dabar] it would be perfectly normal to live more freely. In the beginning (Delfi in spring), “draconian” measures were needed because the health system was not ready. Now we have a sadder thing, because, as we can see, there is no preparation. This is the big problem, ”said the mayor of Vilnius on the“ Delfi diena ”program.

“What the government is doing is necessary, but sometimes it goes beyond logic. For example, there are large mass events, but sometimes very local ones are not allowed: basketball can take place in a huge room, but children cannot get together to play basketball, ”he added.

According to R. Šimašius, additional security measures have so far been negotiated with the Bar Association, providers of non-formal education.

“When it was announced at the beginning of last week that municipalities have more power to apply measures, we took advantage of it and consulted with the bars, non-formal education. Suddenly, in two days, the government will decide. I’m afraid the no-deal decision scenario will repeat itself. I understand the concern of the public that it is not clear how it will be, but we face the same challenges, “said the mayor.

“I would like to see more queries, so it is much more realistic to implement it,” he emphasized.

When asked why a stricter restriction on bar working hours was not introduced, R. Šimašius said that the strictest measures should be applied to select problem areas based on data: “I don’t want to save [barų], I want to be treated rationally based on the data. Naturally, very strict measures are needed where they really help. Bars are a part of the city, I care about education, non-formal education, mass events and more. “

He argued that if the number of cases continued to rise so rapidly, drastic measures might be necessary, and distance learning would last more than a week.

“It may be necessary to do so, but this time it will be a consequence of the government’s ignorance, not a pandemic,” Šimašius said.

“You just have to find out who got sick, get in touch. Then there is the possibility that the virus does not spread but rather localizes itself. Today, some people named as contacts do not receive a call for a week and do not know what to do. This is a total failure of SAM and for this reason it may be necessary to take measures that would not have been necessary if the work had been carried out normally ”, the mayor of Vilnius is convinced.

In his opinion, there is no need to restrict movements to and from the city, and more care should be taken not in public places, in public transport, but in family celebrations: “I have no data that someone has been infected in transport public. The most important thing is to be careful in large family gatherings. “

According to the government decision, from Wednesday the quarantine regime will be introduced in the municipalities of the cities of Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, as well as in the municipalities of Vilnius, Širvintos, Šilalė, Trakai and Telšiai.

The quarantine in these municipalities will continue until November 11. 24 hours

In these municipalities, people over 6 years of age must also wear masks in public places.

On Monday, the quarantine regime has already entered into force in 12 municipalities: Elektrėnai, Joniškis district, Jurbarkas district, Kelmė district, Klaipėda district, Kretinga district, Marijampolė, Pasvalys district, Plungė district, Skuodas district , Šiauliai district, Švenčionys district, as well as extended quarantine in the municipality.