The penalties for quarantine violations have not gone anywhere: it is better not to relax too much

March 16 With the announcement of the universal quarantine in the country, he quickly realized that only recommendations such as the collection and mandatory use of masks in public spaces did not work. Seeing the complicated situation, the authorities decided from April 3. Tighten this procedure to further limit the spread of infection.

We will remind you of the violations for which you have been punished:

• A person who has returned from abroad or is suspected of having COVID-19 and who has been in contact with people infected with the virus should live in solitary confinement for 14 days. They sign a consent to isolate themselves in their home, other place of residence, a designated personal health care facility, or premises provided by the municipal administration. Acting in a public place is considered a violation, even when wearing protective gear, such as driving a dog outside, going for a walk.
• People who have violated the prescribed medical regime are also administratively sanctioned. For example, a person had to be tested for coronavirus at a medical center, but did not show up without a valid reason.
• People are also punished if there were groups of more than 2 people in parks and other open public places, except for close relatives, adoptive parents, adoptive parents and guardians, caregivers. A safe distance of more than 2 meters must be maintained.
• Penalties may also be imposed for boating small, recreational, sports, personal and other vessels for groups of more than 2 people, except for close relatives, adoptive parents, adoptive parents, guardians and caregivers.
• A person who was without a protective mask or covered with a scarf or shawl in a public place could be fined.

Citizens have also begun to actively monitor those who do not comply: There have been a number of cases where parents have taken their children to playgrounds despite everything. Mayors were forced to react as a result and fenced off the sites with STOP lanes or provided special signs. In addition, young people, who until now have been forced to learn from home, also enjoyed hanging out with friends after school. Another hot topic was wearing masks in public spaces, so it was also possible to get a solid fine.

Several images of all these violations began to spread quickly on social networks, with outrage at non-compliance and convicts who shared stories of deserved or incomplete punishment.

One of the most reported cases of quarantine violations in the media was when Domantas Kairys shared his story on Facebook, who indicated that he had decided to wave outdoor tennis rackets with a friend, but that the police had punished him.

“Yesterday my friend and I went to play tennis outdoors, another man joined us while we were playing.” The police soon showed up and crossed their pockets without warning, “he wrote in April.

Police not only fined him and his friend for violating quarantine rules, but also the man who was waiting in line to join and the spectator who sat down.

“So I want to warn all athletes, tennis players, footballers, basketball players that they punish without any excuse and warning, they will not break their conscience, if they wish,” I said, I can call Skvernelis. For callers wishes to the neighbors, you can enjoy, now is your time. Protect not only your health but also your wallet. Yesterday’s tennis party was 1,000 euros. Tennis is really an aristocratic sport ”, summed up the event in Rusne.

Ask for too much relaxation

Lithuanian police representative R. Matonis noted that a total of 2,645 protocols were developed for various quarantine violations.

“The police, of course, have yet to react when they see violations, but writing protocols for quarantine violations is not our primary function. However, there are other institutions, the NCVA (National Center for Public Health), the Food Bureau and Veterinary. The latter body must inspect companies, their activities and events. The police took more care of public spaces. “

However, a police spokesperson noted that they followed certain requirements, albeit relieved, and provided an example of gathering up to five non-family members.

“Quarantine is still in place, although relaxed, fines remain. Of those for whom an infraction report has been drafted, one third has been paid so far. Also, it should be remembered that every offender who has been punished for the first time he must pay two and a half times the minimum fine, so those who have recently received a fine may not have been able to do so, ”explained R. Matonis.

This week, most of the requirements for the quarantine regime were finally relaxed.

Here are the key changes to avoid fines:

• 14 days of isolation are mandatory for people returning or arriving from abroad, Except for citizens of the Republic of Poland and persons legally residing in that State who have returned or have arrived for work, business or study purposes, and citizens of the Republic of Lithuania who have returned or arrived from the Republic of Poland for work, business or study purposes and have traveled only in the Republic of Poland, Estonia Citizens of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania and persons legally residing in these countries who have returned or arrived from the Republic of Estonia or the Republic of Latvia, when traveling alone in the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia or the Republic of Lithuania.
• People are required to visit parks and other open public places and be in groups of no more than 5 people., with the exception of close relatives, adoptive parents, adoptive parents and guardians, caregivers, to maintain safe contact (greater than 2 m away and less than 15 minutes of contact), to avoid direct physical contact, to observe the requirements of personal hygiene; over 6 years, wear protective equipment that covers the nose and mouth (masks, respirators or other means): in open spaces: markets and other public outlets, events, excursions, public transport boarding areas; in closed public spaces, except for: eating and drinking in public catering establishments; when they exercise
• It is recommended that people over 6 years of age wear nasal and oral protective equipment (masks, respirators, or other means) in other open public spaces..
• Restrictions on navigation in small, recreational, sports, personal, traditional and other floating equipment or media. When transporting groups of more than 5 people., a distance of at least 1 m must be maintained between passengers (with the exception of close relatives, adoptive parents, adoptive parents, guardians and caregivers) and the conditions necessary for the safety of public health, hygiene and the provision of the equipment of necessary personal protection established by the Head of State Emergency Operations.