The updated list of affected countries includes changes in isolation for arrivals from the two countries

Liechtenstein and Switzerland, as well as all third countries, remain on the updated list of affected countries and regions on Friday, as they did last week. Starting Monday, January 11, people arriving or traveling in these countries will have to isolate themselves for 10 days or undergo a test for coronavirus (COVID-19).

The MAR has tightened the requirements for arrivals from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of South Africa in response to a risk assessment published by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

The ECDC risk assessment indicates that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of South Africa are at high risk of introducing and spreading virus mutations in the EU. Given the faster rate of spread of infection by the mutated virus, the spread of new mutations is likely to have a significant impact on hospitalization and death rates, especially among those at risk, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases. .

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the ECDC, new viral mutations have been identified since December, the spread of which is being observed in the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Northern Ireland, in the following EU and EEA countries : Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland.

Meanwhile, cases of a new viral mutation have been reported in South Africa in Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Following the tightening of requirements, people from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of South Africa are required to undergo a laboratory test for coronavirus infection, which can be performed within 48 hours. during the period prior to arrival in Lithuania or upon arrival.

Given the lack of data on whether a person with a coronavirus can be infected with a new virus mutation and how long they can be infected with the mutated virus after a previous infection, the requirements for incoming people who have already been infected with coronavir have been adjusted to 14 days. finished.

The isolation period of 14 days can be shortened if a test is performed no earlier than 10 days of isolation and a negative result is obtained. Persons from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of South Africa can leave the place of isolation in cases where they need urgent medical attention and therefore go to a medical institution as well as a mobile point. With permission from the National Public Health Center (NVSC), isolated people can go to a funeral, change the place of isolation, or go to a health care facility for other health care services.

Aliens and Lithuanian citizens in isolation living or working abroad, as well as people who need to leave for medical care, can leave Lithuania for the country where they live, work or work due to a trip from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of South Africa. in which healthcare will be provided before the end of the prescribed isolation period. The NVSC must be notified of the planned departure no later than 24 hours. until the planned departure from Lithuania.

Depending on morbidity and other indicators, countries are divided into green, yellow, red and gray areas. When Lithuania is in the red zone, only the countries and regions in the gray zone are considered affected countries.

The gray area includes countries that do not provide data to the ECDC or that have 300 or fewer surveys per 100,000 people in 7 days. population.

Individuals from the affected countries, namely Liechtenstein and Switzerland (does not apply to arrivals from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or the Republic of South Africa) are subject to 10 days of isolation or are required to be present no earlier than 48 hours. A coronavirus test was conducted prior to arrival in Lithuania and a negative response was obtained. Coronavirus testing can also be done upon arrival in Lithuania, but isolation is mandatory until a negative coronavirus test is obtained.

Foreigners from third countries cannot provide the results of the investigation, but must isolate themselves or carry out the investigation in Lithuania. However, even with a negative test result, it is recommended to limit the number of contacts and not visit the meeting places for 10 days after returning or arriving in Lithuania. Those who travel by air passing through the affected countries without leaving the airport transit area will not be considered to have had contact.

SAM reminds that travelers on scheduled, special and charter flights of all modes of transport organized and operated by carriers must register on the NVSC website (https://keleiviams.nvsc.lt/lt/form) and provide the carrier complete information before entering the vehicle. confirmation of the electronic questionnaire (QR code), and in other cases, no later than 12 hours from the time of return or arrival in Lithuania, you must register with the NVSC (https://kjetusiams.nvsc.lt/lt / form).