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The government extended the quarantine and movement restrictions between municipalities from Wednesday to March.
“So I would suggest a decision at this stage that, in principle, only postpones or extends, more precisely, the date of the current procedure, but with, of course, the idea that we will return to these issues every week, and maybe sometimes a week and not after, once, ”said Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė.
The government has supported a proposal by the Ministry of Health (SAM) to extend the quarantine until midnight on February 28. Restrictions on the movement of people between municipalities have been extended by the same amount, except in the case of trips to the municipality of residence, to another municipality due to the death of close relatives, for work reasons, as well as to and from international trips. destinations or in other exceptional cases.
According to the Prime Minister, the latest data and dynamics will be discussed at the Government meeting on Friday and at the meeting of the State Emergency Commission on Monday.
“Then we will see if we can go back to some clearer dates and more concrete decisions on Wednesday. So far, apparently, that is what we need to do to have some legal certainty,” said I. Šimonytė.
SAM argued in favor of an extension of the quarantine because the introduction of a strict quarantine has reduced the incidence of COVID-19, but it remains high.
“There is a proposal to extend the duration of the quarantine regime, it is proposed to extend it for another month, until February 28, 24 hours. As you know, if we compare the figures with December, (…) there are really huge changes, but those huge changes have come about from huge numbers, ”said Health Minister Arūnas Dulkys when presenting the issue.
“The number of cases in Lithuania is decreasing, but the rate of decline is slowing compared to the previous weeks,” he noted.
However, according to the minister, this does not mean that the measures did not work: they managed to control the situation in the hospitals.
“A strategy for the modernization of hospital services has already been started,” he said.
Mortality also remains high, although there is a marked decrease in both its mortality and overall mortality.
According to the ministry, about 7 percent currently have immunity to COVID-19. Lithuanian population: vaccinated with at least one dose of vaccine (around 2%) or relapsed during the last six months (around 5%).
On Monday, following the government’s emergency commission, it was announced that the first releases could be expected from mid-February if COVID-19 infections are reduced.
In Lithuania, the quarantine was announced on November 7 last year, its regime has been tightened since December 16 and is currently valid until January 31.
At present, many shops, sports and leisure venues in the country have been closed, the movement of people between municipalities and meetings both at home and in public places has been restricted.
Author Austėja Masiokaitė-Liubinienė
