The first steps of quarantine: start with stores, hair salons and schools



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This week, ministers from various fields at the meeting of the Government Emergency Commission (WESC) purified how the quarantine will be relaxed, step by step. The final decision on the plan will be made by the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Wednesday.

“We should talk about the gradual release from quarantine by all means. That aspect is very important because we need to properly evaluate that knowledge or positive trends that we have now.

Every week, we plan to regularly consult with experts and review whether the data really allows us to make one or the other decision, ”Health Minister Arūnas Dulkys told reporters after the WESC meeting on Monday.

Arūnas Dulkys

According to him, this means that some quarantine measures can be renewed and some mitigation measures can be advanced, delayed or returned.

Coming soon: green light for stores and beauty services

The first step in easing the quarantine has been to allow the government to operate outdoor ski resorts as of Tuesday, February 2. It is true that they can only be visited by residents of the municipalities where the centers are located. Also, the number of people in the elevator is limited.

This release is in a rush to accept because the ski resort business is seasonal. The passes to the slopes are sold electronically only, this acts as a registry for the visitors. It is true that the provision of ski equipment rental and non-ski services is still prohibited.

It is planned to bring merchants in the near future: A. Dulkys proposes to allow not only essential goods stores to operate.

“We would like to suggest to the government that not only grocery stores but also other non-essential stores can operate now, if they have a separate entrance from the outside and can restrict the flow of shoppers,” said A. Dulkys.

It is true that it is still unclear whether large non-essential stores will also be allowed to operate. It is also intended to clarify what security requirements will be imposed on merchants.

“We will give priority to those stores that have an independent entrance from the outside. However, I hope and will suggest discussion and squaring. When there is a larger area, it means that it is possible to serve more than one person safely, ”said Minister of Economy and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė.

Aušrinė Armonaitė

There are also plans to resume beauty services in the coming days.

“Certainly ensuring that the number of people is limited at the same time,” added A. Dulkys.

Movement restrictions will be removed in three steps

It is tentatively envisaged that the currently restricted population movement could be lifted in three stages, depending on the epidemiological situation. According to the Minister of the Interior, Agnė Bilotaitė, it will be possible to talk about the release of this restriction only by halving the incidence of Covid-19.

“It will be possible to speak of certain exemptions in this area if the morbidity rate is less than 200 cases per 100,000. population in 14 days and the proportion of positive tests will be less than 10%. Then we can talk and consider the possibility of unleashing the movement between the ring and the municipalities of the city, ”A. Bilotaitė told reporters on Monday.

In the second phase, it is planned to restrict movement only on weekends and holidays.

“If the morbidity rate will be less than 150 cases per 100,000. population, within 14 days, and the proportion of positive tests will not exceed 5%, then it can be considered that the restriction between municipalities would be valid only on weekends and holidays ”, suggested A. Bilotaitė.

In the third stage, when the morbidity drops significantly, it may be decided not to restrict the movement of the population between municipalities.

“If we reach 100 cases, 100 thousand. population in 14 days, and the proportion of positive convicts will not exceed 4%, in which case we can talk about the response of the restriction between municipalities. Except in those municipalities where the number of diseases would be higher ”, said A. Bilotaitė.

Agnė Bilotaitė

To schools – end of February

Under the preliminary plan, elementary and high school graduates could return to classes at the end of February. True, the Minister of Education, Science and Sports Jurgita Šiugždinienė emphasizes that a more accurate time will depend on the morbidity indicators.

“One of our priorities is the need for students, and especially elementary and middle school students, to return to school as soon as possible. We plan to allow elementary school children to return to school in late February after holidays.

However, this will only come true when the incidence rate is less than 200 cases per 100,000. population in 14 days, and the number of positive tests will be less than 10%, ”J. Šiugždinienė told reporters on Monday.

At that time, graduates could return to classes when the morbidity rate is less than 150 cases per 100,000. population within 14 days and the number of positive tests will not exceed 5%.

“I suggest that graduates go back to schools from March 1,” the minister said.

Jurgita Šiugždinienė

At the same time, all primary, preschool and preschool teachers are expected to be vaccinated in February.

“The question is whether unvaccinated teachers will be able to work in person. Vaccination is not mandatory, unvaccinated teachers will be able to work, but I have no doubt that most educators will take the opportunity to get vaccinated, ”said J. Šiugždinienė.

Currently, the incidence rate of Covid-19 in Lithuania reaches 431.8 cases per 100 thousand. population in 14 days.

The quarantine in Lithuania lasts from November 7 to December 16. strict measures have been introduced. The quarantine lasted until the beginning of March.



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