The first launches for companies will be available in the second half of February: it is clear who will be the first to open

Morbidity at 14 days 100 thousand. The population already reaches 527 cases, which still shows the worst scenario for D.

“At the same time, it means that we are very close to the door behind which stage ‘C’ and some other stages await us,” said Health Minister Arūnas Dulkys.

One of the first exemptions to consider for companies is to allow stores whose main activity is not the sale of food, but only on the condition that the store has a separate entrance from the outside. An area of ​​20 m2 per visitor must also be provided. Such launches could take place in the second half or late February. Among the discussions is the proposal of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation to allow the operation of centers that provide cross-country skiing services, guaranteeing safety requirements. There are six such centers in Lithuania, according to a distributed report.

“Of course, we will follow the recommendations of our expert council, as I have already said, and when it comes to certain relaxations in trade or services, in the service sector we will see that there should be less than 150 cases per 100,000 population. Maybe early March if we hit those numbers, ”said A. Dulkys.

A rate of 200 boxes would be increased for the stores.

“Allowing stores to operate with a separate entrance from the outside could speak, in our opinion, when there will be less than 200 cases,” said the minister.

Until March 1st. The recommendation would continue to be, if possible, to opt for teleworking in both the public and private sectors, with the exception of those functions that must be performed in the workplace.

“We would give priority to business liberalization, and restrictions on movement between municipalities will be discussed with experts this week, and we hope that decisions on this regulation will be made in the near future,” said Agnė Bilotaitė, Minister of the Interior and President. of the Government Emergency Commission.

He mentioned business among the priority areas after access to health and education. The Minister reported that this week the ministries will still present their proposals for the release plan from quarantine restrictions and they will be considered.

Harmony – Get Ski Resorts Running ASAP

The Minister of Economy and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė shared on Facebook what are the first three proposals to resume activities in February.

“First of all, let the outdoor ski resorts work. There are six such resorts in Lithuania. The main requirements would be: services are provided by reservation only, number of clients is limited, ski equipment is not rented. skiing, to ensure regular disinfection of the ski lifts; safe distances between skiers “, writes A. Armonaitė.

Second, to allow the operation of beauty services (haircut and manicure), where there is 1 client and 1 service provider, ensuring at least 10 m2. m area of ​​the premises of the service location.

“Allow stores (including kiosks and pavilions) to have direct access from the outside or a separate entrance used only by customers of that store when no more than 1 customer is served at a time and flow management is guaranteed customers at the store entrance. ” write to Harmony.

Such a proposal from the Ministry of Economy for February will still be discussed with the Ministry of Health, experts and the Government.

“The main indicators that will be taken into account when offering certain exemptions are not the date, but the percentage of diseases and positive COVID-19 tests,” said Interior Minister A. Bilotaitė.

If the situation improves, galleries and museums can open in March and events in May

If on May 1, the morbidity rate would be less than 25 cases per 100,000. residents, then events would be possible indoors if there are no more than 100 participants, and outdoors if the number of participants does not exceed 200. On March 1, the opening of galleries and museums, training with a trainer would be considered , A. Dulkys reported.

“We hope to be able to present a summary of the proposals that would affect both social services and meetings of the catering and trade sector, as well as cultural activities and events, and we plan to present all this in biennial stages and in agreement with the number of positive tests and cases. That would be the main guideline, “said A. Dulkys.

He explained that the measures are currently being implemented between February 1 and May 15 and the document will be submitted for discussion.

“The weather is just predictable and the main indicator is morbidity data, with which we are comparing ourselves,” said A. Dulkys.

Previously, the Lithuanian Employers’ Confederation appealed to the Government about unequal conditions of competition during the quarantine period, arguing that some companies were “overboard” due to operating restrictions, and now the main beneficiaries are stores whose main activity is the retail sale of food. And other goods.

“Those measures would be reviewed every two weeks and it is by looking at the data in the numbers that we see. (…) The document continues to work, debatable, but there are some examples that could be, all current quarantine measures are divided into certain issues, ”said Health Minister A. Dulkys about the plan.

The quarantine was announced in Lithuania on November 7 last year, stricter restrictions were introduced on December 16, and its deadline was extended to January 31.