The government abandons the old tactic: the expert proposes to hand over control to the people themselves

As Health Minister Arūnas Dulkys announced during a press conference on Tuesday, movement restrictions have been lifted since Wednesday.

Overall, it was clear from the Minister’s statements that the previous virus control plan, which was based on scenarios A, B, C, D, is being abandoned. However, what remains is unclear.

“It just came to our notice then. We need to be proactive, if we are on the front line, we have to respond appropriately to the changed virus tactics and act accordingly. At present, all efforts: testing, vaccination and support of the whole society are very important, “said A. Dulkys.

Supports the lifting of movement restrictions

Infectious disease specialist S. Čaplinskas supports the decision to remove movement restrictions. In his opinion, these measures have been needed for a long time.

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“It is not for nothing that experts from the World Health Organization have warned from the outset that a total shutdown is effective for up to three to four weeks. Then it must be weighed heavily because it can do more harm than good. What we see is emotional fatigue, demotivation, some demands on people seem illogical, and then professionals also confirm that they are illogical, and then people start to stop following them. At the same time, they are starting to stop following other recommendations, which are logical, ”said S. Čaplinskas.

In his opinion, it is important to keep a close eye on where and why the virus is spreading.

“Every thinking person understands that if he and his family, say, travel to the sea and spend time there, even if he stays in a hotel, depending on how he handles his personal risk, if he behaves safely, it will probably be more beneficial to him. he. for health than possible harm. It’s time to talk about it, “said S. Čaplinskas.

Offers to empower people to manage risk

According to the specialist, the restrictions could be modified through a broader empowerment of each person to manage their own risks, those of their family, those of their organization, those of their workplace.

“It just came to our attention then. (…) In the UK, for example, a person receives two free tests a week to assess whether they are infected. If they are infected then they could make a decision. Similarly, people who travel by plane, even in the UK, a test is already included in the ticket price. It is immediately clear which hotel will have to be quarantined, how much that quarantine will cost. This is just one example of opportunities to manage your risk, ”said S. Čaplinskas.

The second important factor highlighted by the specialist was vaccination. It is incomprehensible to him why the unvaccinated doses are in the refrigerators or, worse, spilled.

“The first goal of vaccination is to protect a person who is very dangerous, can become seriously ill, there is a burden on the hospital, they may not survive. First we are trying to protect these people. There should still be people who work for contact and are at high risk of infection. The first step was doctors, social workers. Police officers and others who provide contact services continue, “said S. Čaplinskas.

The third factor that the expert draws attention to are the people who are super-distributors.

“Data from some countries shows that between ten and twenty percent of people are caused by eighty percent of secondary infections. And in Israel, between one and five percent of people are caused by the eighty percent of secondary infections. And where does the infection spread in our country? (…) Everyone is already tired of repeating that “suffer another three weeks.” That is the answer for me, where is it spreading ? ”Said S. Čaplinskas.

The specialist pointed out that the virus spreads mainly where people communicate closely and do not protect themselves.

“Consequently, it spreads at home, secondly, on the computer. The bands can be of two types. One will be a work team, the other will be a leisure team.” All security measures should be used there possible, starting with diagnosis, vaccines and the correct and clear use of masks, “said S. Čaplinskas.

DELFI recalls that movement 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 best-served municipalities in the world. country to Go back to 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.

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.