The government has changed its mind about shopping malls and markets; won’t open yet

On Wednesday, the government did not change the quarantine conditions for merchants, leaving existing restrictions for stores that do not have a separate entrance from the outside, as well as for covered pavilion complexes in markets.

On Friday, after a meeting with representatives of the Lithuanian Association of Business Enterprises, I. Šimonytė said that the possibility of opening supermarkets from April 12 would be considered.

“I see that we have a meeting and the guests that we met last Friday had a discussion so that if the situation does not seriously deteriorate, we could consider opening some additional activities this week. However, it is already true that, according to the data available today, we have an unknown number of new cases per day, well above 1000, ”said I. Šimonytė.

He explained: it would be further evaluated to what extent the situation would be affected by the lifting of traffic restrictions.

The only change for merchants is the removal of the recommendation not to use short-term sales promotions, increase the number of cash registers in operation, etc.

“These recommendations were more relevant during the festive periods, and they are not binding and therefore cannot be controlled,” the document argues.

Vainienė: The situation is tragic

“The expected opening of the trade is a shock for us. We understand the problem of the increase in cases, but on the other hand, we do not really understand what this trade that remains unopened is about. For most of the commercial companies, 19 1,000 companies, 75 percent, there are food, opticians, which can operate in any scenario, “surprised Rūta Vainienė, president of the Lithuanian Association of Commercial Companies.

According to her, supermarkets offered security measures and stores would be significantly safer than other outlets.

“They remain held hostage in a pandemic situation that is beyond their control and not determined by them, while it lasts. (…) The situation is tragic. Really very bad, 4 months. closing, this has not been the case in any country in the world. There was – open, close – and that would be a better option than an uninterrupted shutdown for 4 months. without end, “said R. Vainienė.

Šimonytė does not want opposing decisions

Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė said she listens to merchants and understands the problem.

Last Friday, during a meeting with the Association of Commercial Companies and the Association of Real Estate Developers, we discussed that if the situation is favorable, the Government could consider larger supermarkets this Wednesday, as well as other relevant decisions on some activities in the cultural sector . ”, – explained the Prime Minister at a press conference.

According to her, currently part of Lithuania is experiencing the active growth phase of the COVID-19 disease, and in such a situation there is no reason to consider additional relief.

“I understand that some people are sad about this, but I think that caution in this place is important and a justification.” The government’s priority now will be to vaccinate as many older people as possible with the vaccine that we will receive from Pfizer this week. ” said I. Šimonytė.

He assured that last week about 800 new cases were registered per day and the situation seemed stable, without a clear deterioration in trends. However, the situation deteriorated after the holidays and a large number of symptomatic cases were recorded. The government intends to look for new indicators that may lead to a reconsideration of the layoffs.

“We have discussed with the ministers the need to consider an updated set of parameters, because when the government agreed in February on a logic of some criteria, the number of cases and a logic of percentages of positive tests, we were in a situation that improved. There was only a dispute about when we will reach one or the other milestone, ”says I. Šimonytė.

And now the situation is the opposite, the trend is the opposite. The Prime Minister says she wants to avoid having to consider opposing decisions and toughen restrictions.

“It is obvious that the problem is not the trade, nor the store itself, but people’s contacts,” says I. Šimonytė.

The main task, according to him, is to stabilize the situation.

“It just came to our notice then. I understand your statement that the trade has been opened and has not deteriorated.

“I am also sorry and disappointing that we cannot make a decision today on a broader business performance, what we have really planned and what we are prepared for.” I look forward to returning to those discussions and decisions in the near future. I want to see what gives hope. Indeed, the vaccination process offers hope, ”said Minister of Economy and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė.

Technical adjustments for the health services sector

The renewed quarantine decree has increased the maximum number of people from 5 to 10 to whom such services can be provided in order to increase people’s physical activity by providing sports, recreation and entertainment services in open spaces.

The duplicate ban on the operation of health centers providing recreational services has also been lifted.

“There is a certain problem of duplication of provisions, those health services that are provided at the discretion of the doctor are allowed at all times, under a separate clause, and recreational services are prohibited under a separate clause, under another clause. This is a technical correction, not a liberalization of activities ”, says I. Šimonytė.

It is clarified that the total ban on the operation of health centers is redundant: health service centers, like other economic entities, could operate providing services that are directly uninsured. Insurance is maintained for other leisure services: entertainment, saunas, swimming pools and others.

Health care activities include: personal health care; public health care; pharmaceutical activities; activities of participants in the medical device market; other health activities listed in the document.

The new changes will take effect on April 12.

He promised to open supermarkets on April 12

Last Friday, after the meeting with the representatives of the merchants, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė said that the Government will consider opening the shopping centers this week and, if the epidemiological situation allows it, they could start working as of April 12.

“The final decision will be made by the Cabinet of Ministers taking into account the situation after Easter, so this weekend is very important for current trade in managing flows and encouraging people to comply with security requirements. “Prime Minister I. Šimonytė said earlier. Easter.

He assured that he listened to business expectations and, although the epidemiological situation did not improve, ways were being sought to open up more commercial and cultural opportunities through mandatory tests for workers and the acceleration of vaccination.

The Minister of Health, Arūnas Dulkys, said on Tuesday that this week and next he will consider measures for the release of quarantine related to trade, sports and leisure, as well as culture.

Živilė Gudleviečienė, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė’s health adviser, has already hinted on the Delfi Tema program that on Wednesday the government can adjust its plans and take a break from releasing the quarantine conditions.

More than 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 were registered in the country on Tuesday, and half of Lithuania is in a phase of exponential growth, according to the latest review of the epidemiological situation presented by the government.

The issue of shopping center openings has been going on since March 10, when Prime Minister I. Šimonytė assessed that opening shops and other businesses is a matter for the next few weeks. The opening of the business has been delayed due to the deterioration of the epidemiological situation.

Tighter quarantine requirements have been applied since December 16, some stores in supermarkets, market pavilion complexes with a covered roof are still unable to operate.

Currently, 15 m2 is applied to basic necessities, such as food, veterinary, opticians, pharmacies. meters of space per visitor request.

Non-essential shops can only operate if they have a separate entrance from the outside, they are subject to 20 m2. meters of space per visitor request.