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The stricter quarantine will close most stores in Lithuania from Wednesday, except for groceries, will restrict people from leaving home without good reason, but will allow families to leave home to walk in open areas within the municipality. without knowing other people.
That decision was made by the government headed by Ingrida Šimonytė, which met in the first meeting on Sunday night.
“It seems to me that we have to look very openly at what is happening and it is not for nothing that we have heard today that other countries, specifically Germany, are also imposing very strict restrictions, which will also come into effect on Wednesday,” I. Šimonytė said at the meeting. . .
“Apparently, the challenges are very similar for all of us: we could have probably done something much earlier than we are today, and maybe today we would be in a situation where we could use the traditional controls and wait a little calmer for Christmas.” , said.
According to her, it is currently difficult to say where the worst situation or the greatest risk is, so the strict restrictions introduced are necessary to return to the situation in which risk management can be limited to specific sectors.
“There is no safe place in Lithuania,” said the prime minister.
In addition to grocery stores, pharmacy, veterinary, optical, and orthopedic stores may continue to operate. They must provide an area of 10 square meters per person.
E-commerce collection points will also be able to operate.
“Here again, it is suggested to use the experience that was during the spring quarantine, when there were mainly those commercial or service institutions that provided the necessary and much-needed goods and services, where there is no risk of close contact,” said I. Šimonytė .
Educational institutions will work remotely, but kindergartens will have to accept children if their parents do not have the opportunity to work remotely.
Any contact service is prohibited and accommodation can only be provided in isolation.
As of Wednesday, it will be forbidden to go outside your municipality, unless you are going to work, to a funeral, for the necessary medical attention or to own a home in another municipality. This insurance is valid until January 3.
“We suggest taking advantage of the experience that was in the spring, during the Easter period, when movement between the different municipalities was restricted, unless there are buildings there, but the general principle that we propose is that families have decided to stay less that their departure is necessary. “Said the Prime Minister.
It also introduces the prohibition of leaving the home, unless it is related to work, shopping in a store, going to a funeral, a medical institution or caring for people who cannot care for themselves. Members of a family will be able to go for a walk outside.
According to I. Šimonytė, the exception of allowing a walk is made so as not to suffer too much the emotional state of people.
Communicating with non-residents of your home is prohibited, except in emergencies.
“The aim is to reduce the number of contacts, so the previous decision of the Government on contacts between two families or two households is changed and the principle is proposed so that communication remains within one family,” said I. Šimonytė.
No more individual physical activity classes will be allowed either, but high-skill sports will continue to be available.
“It is proposed to waive the exemption for individual physical activities because of close contact and some additional risks,” said I. Šimonytė.
These conditions are valid until January 31st.
According to I. Šimonytė, if the situation improved earlier, a review of the quarantine conditions could be considered by relaxing them.
“For the sake of certainty and less distraction, it is proposed that these restrictions be approved before January 31. Although it seems like a fairly long period, experts suggest that a period of five to seven weeks is desirable and, in my opinion, is better to have a maximum period immediately, if it can be said in such uncertain conditions, and then a sudden period or with the arrival of other controls and tools, just reconsider lifting the restrictions instead of keeping the public under tension, which takes some time extend essentially the same measures, ”he said.
Finance Minister Gintarė Skaistė said the budget will include measures to provide support to employees and companies that will suffer from the restrictions.
According to her, the specific measures will be presented in the next week. He assured that people and businesses will not be left out. The fact that the budget will provide funds to compensate for the restrictions introduced was also confirmed by I. Šimonytė.
Authors: Vaidotas Beniušis, Austėja Masiokaitė-Liubinienė
