Sold out: movement restrictions valid for more than three months in Lithuania are lifted

Circulation restrictions were introduced in mid-December last year in preparation for next Christmas and in an attempt to curb the record growth in new cases, they were lifted in mid-March in most of the country’s municipalities with better epidemiological situation for return for the Easter period at the national level.

Lasted more than 3 months

Restrictions on movement between municipalities were first introduced last year before Easter. During the first quarantine, residents were urged not to leave their homes or visit loved ones. Then when these strict quarantine measures were first introduced, then-Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis spoke visually.

“Later we will be able to travel all over Lithuania and visit our relatives, not our graves,” said S. Skvernelis.

Last fall, when the situation deteriorated again, the previous government decided to recommend not to go to relatives on the late weekend, if you only need to visit the graves of loved ones, not to visit guests. It was later discovered that residents were not served by the no-travel call.

Therefore, in mid-December, the new government decided to introduce movement restrictions for Christmas and New Years. Traffic restrictions were then imposed only on days close to weekends.

Immediately after the New Year’s consent, on January 3, the Government’s Emergency Situations Commission (WESC) proposed to extend restrictions on movement between the country’s municipalities until January 31. This restriction continued until March 17.

Movement within the ring municipalities was allowed in the last days of February.

Since March 16, free movement in Lithuania is allowed throughout the country, except in 16 municipalities, where the epidemiological situation was the worst at that time.

Still, restrictions on movement throughout the country were lifted again in the last days of March. From 00:00 hours on March 27 to 24:00 hours on April 6, it was forbidden to travel between municipalities without justified reason.

“The tool has reached its full potential”

At a press conference held on Tuesday, Health Minister A. Dulkys stressed that restrictions on circulation had been lifted.

“It seems that we have to admit that a measure like moderation has exhausted its potential. From how we see it, most of the infections are from the realm of education or manufacturing companies. The main part: from breaking the rule of a home, personal communication, not wearing masks, so we believe that this measure has finished its work. We are very grateful, “said A. Dulkys.

He stressed that it was the movement restrictions that allowed us to descend from the “great mountain.”

“They are completely finished, regardless of the situation in the individual municipality. The government divides all its thoughts and forces into three things: tests, vaccinations and we invite the public to follow the measures: distances, masks and adherence to the contacts of a single household ”, emphasized A. Dulkys.

Strict quarantine rules are maintained

On Tuesday, Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė emphasized on Facebook that although the rules of the movement are changing, communication is not changing.

The previously approved procedure will continue to apply. The open space can bring together 5 people from different households or 2 households.

The police declare that a vehicle, with the exception of urban, intercity and suburban regular passenger vehicles or vehicles traveling to or from the workplace, cannot transport more than 2 people or a family and / or a household to the time. Member groups.

With the removal of restrictions on movement, the possibility of creating social bubbles remains.

The support bubble can be made up of two households or families, if one of them has:

• no more than one adult;
• a person and their minor children;
• a disabled minor or permanent adult in need of care due to a disability.

Both households that form the bubble of support commit to having no more close contacts outside the bubble.

If a bubble of support forms with a person at risk, it is recommended that:

• wear protective masks;
• keep a distance of 2 meters;
• ventilate the premises at least once an hour.

It is remembered that protective masks should be used indoors. And in open spaces, they should be used when a safe distance of 2 meters from other people cannot be guaranteed.

Delphi remember that the universal quarantine in Lithuania was extended until April 30 and was introduced on November 7 last year.