The government is proposed to extend the quarantine for a month

The text has been supplemented with comments from officials on possible exemptions and when they will come into effect.

The extension of the quarantine was decided at Monday’s meeting by the Government Emergency Commission (IECC).

First promises promised ‘in the near future’

“We see that the curve of the disease is decreasing, it is the result of a strict quarantine, but the results are not yet what we are looking for, so we propose to extend the quarantine. We hope that in the near future we will also be able to offer the first exemptions for business, ”said Agnė Bilotaitė, Minister of the Interior, President of WEU, after the meeting that lasted more than two hours.

According to her, during the meeting the stages of release of restrictions were presented, which are based on indicators for monitoring the epidemiological situation. The least number of cases possible, counting the number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 14 days. and positive COVID-19 tests, the more favorable the situation and the possibility of considering exemptions.

The decision has been made to instruct the ministries to specify and detail possible exemptions in their areas, and they will be presented to the government next week. However, all releases must be associated with a proportion of morbidity rates and positive tests.

Call to follow the recommendations

According to the forecasts of the Ministry of Health, the figure of 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants could be reached in early February, after reaching that limit one could speak of releases. According to data from Sunday, the average number of cases in the country is 527 cases.

“We are doing really well, but we cannot stop midway to release more restrictions; we must stick together and follow current recommendations,” said Health Minister Arūnas Dulkys.

It is tentatively planned that from mid-February, if there were a decrease in morbidity rates, two households could be allowed to communicate, as well as an increase in the number of scheduled hospitalization services, taking into account the number of beds. released as COVID-19. decreases.

Another possible release is from the second half of February, a return to primary contact or mixed education is being considered, ensuring the requirements established by A. Dulkis, the Chief of Emergency Operations at the State Level.

Decide on movement restriction

“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,” the interior minister said.

“When the number of new cases is less than 500 per 100,000 inhabitants in 14 days. and when the number of positive tests is less than 10%, some first exemptions could be considered, mainly for movement between municipalities. But here we would also consider several options, perhaps in the first place during the week, but going out on weekends and during the holidays ”, added A. Bilotaitė.

According to the Police Department, in January more than 18,000 vehicles were handed over and this month more than 5,200 protocols were drawn up for violations of quarantine conditions. Traffic on the country’s highways decreased by 72%

.A. Dulkys agreed with A. Bilotaitė that the first quarantine releases could be considered this week, but adopted at next week’s government meeting. It will be proposed that the quarantine regimen be reviewed every two weeks based on morbidity.

The opening of stores will be gradual

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. In addition, 20 m2 must be provided per visitor. tide. 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.

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.

The quarantine was announced in Lithuania on November 7 last year, starting on December 16. his regime has been strengthened and extended 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.

The opposition saw the proposals

At the time, the opposition Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS) called on the government to lift bans on movement between municipalities, allow smaller hair salons and non-food stores, prioritize teacher testing, and allow the resumption of contact education for children families with COVID-19.

LVU President Ramūnas Karbauskis and former Health Minister Aurelijus Veryga said at a press conference that long-term bans could have a greater negative impact than the coronavirus itself.

However, Mr. Veryga did not deny that the rapid deterioration of the epidemiological situation had begun to improve when he handed over the helm of the health system to the new rulers: motivation for non-communication in family farms, other measures to avoid contacts. “

“The quarantine would not have been accepted by the LVU in any way, we can speak of restrictions on circulation only on national holidays, when people move among themselves,” said R. Karbauskis.

R. Veryga is convinced that small businesses still circumvent bans, for example hairdressers “walk en masse to people’s houses”, which is much more dangerous than allowing businesses to operate in strict compliance with safety . “This sector has been able to operate and I believe it could start operating in the near future complying with all the strict safety requirements. What’s more, if there is really a lot of fear, it is possible to impose an obligation on employees or companies to evaluate employees at their expense on a weekly basis, “he said.

Non-food items, according to the former minister, are also sold by entrepreneurs in exchange for cash, hiding income and taxes.

We offer resume trading for small businesses, especially those that have access from abroad. There is definitely no logic to explain why you can go to a large supermarket, but you cannot go to a small store, ”said A. Veryga.

When considering resuming catering services in the future, he suggested shortening the time to sell alcohol in cafes and bars immediately.

LVŽS is also offering to drop the maturity exams this year. “When looking at and evaluating the problems of last year, we suggest not putting more stress on this year, because it will be very difficult for children to prepare for those exams and still reject them this year,” explained A. Veryga.

Write a comment