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After meeting with traders, the Prime Minister stated that the Government listens to business expectations and, although the epidemiological situation in Lithuania is still not improving, it is looking for ways to enable the safe operation of supermarkets and beyond.
“We hope that mandatory employee testing, accelerated vaccination and compliance with other essential safety requirements will gradually open up opportunities for culture: for outdoor events, as well as indoors, ensuring the highest possible safety.
The final decision will be made by the Cabinet of Ministers taking into account the situation after Easter, so this weekend is very important for current commerce in managing flows and encouraging people to comply with security requirements. ”Prime Minister I. Šimonytė said in a press release.
Photo by Lukas Balandus / 15min / Ingrida Šimonytė
Rūta Vainienė, Director of the Lithuanian Trade Companies Association 15 minutes confirmed that the government will decide on the commercial opening next week.
“Unless emergencies occur, the final opening of all commerce is scheduled for April 12. Next week, on Wednesday, it will be discussed at the Government meeting and will take effect from Monday,” said R. Vainienė.
Photo by Arno Strumila / 15min / Rūta Vainienė
This date was also mentioned by the Government in a press release.
“The message waits for eternity”
Traders welcome the government’s ambitions and hope to open up.
Most of the trade in Lithuania was closed in mid-December last year, when the government of I. Šimonytė, which had just started its work, significantly tightened the quarantine introduced due to the spread of the coronavirus.
Currently, the restrictions are released only for a part of the stores: at the beginning of March, all stores with a separate outdoor entrance were allowed to operate, but the operation of stores operating in large supermarkets and without an outdoor entrance.
Žygimantas Gedvila / 15 min photo / “Moki veži” shop in Vilnius
Currently, supermarkets can only operate essential goods stores (food, pharmaceuticals, optics and veterinary medicine), while others can only act as collection points.
Rimantas Perveneckas, head of the Apranga Group clothing retail chain, said the possible opening date announced by the government is optimistic.
“Businesses have been suffering huge losses for a long time and we are eager for trade liberalization. 15 minutes in a comment, the businessman said.
Photo by Irmantas Gelūnas / 15min photo / General Director of Apanga Rimantas Perveneckas
“We expect the government to make a decision and we are determined to return to work safely; all employees will be tested and will only be able to work if they receive a negative response.” We guarantee the maximum security in the stores, the fulfillment of all the requirements and the management of customer flows ”, he added.
Perfume and cosmetics retail chain Douglas, which has 21 of the 23 grocery stores, also struggled to undergo a strict quarantine.
According to Vilūnė Spaičė, a director of the company that manages the network in Lithuania, the closure hurt the network’s turnover, forced a freeze on stocks and paralyzed the introduction of new products.
“More than half of our employees are on downtime, so coming back will definitely be a challenge for people who haven’t worked for a good six months,” said Douglas LT CEO.
Photo by Douglas / Vilugė Spaičė, CEO of Douglas LT
According to her, the news of the inauguration was unexpected.
“It just came to our knowledge then. Let’s await the final decision on Wednesday and the people’s conscience during Easter,” said V. Spaičė.
As you know, start-up employees will need to be tested for COVID-19. This is provided for in a government decree approved last week that provides for mandatory tests for workers in certain sectors.
Waiting for more information
Ona Nevinskienė, head of the Prosperitas Baltic company, which runs the VCUP shopping center in the center of the capital, said it is difficult to comment on the information until the conditions and circumstances are known.
She said that a total of 75 percent of the VCUPs are not fully operational today. stories.
“It just came to our attention then. The supermarkets have not opened for almost half a year. We negotiate with the tenants, we give them discounts, we have to maintain the shopping center, we pay taxes. We are looking forward to the day when things go smoothly. normality “. 15 minutes said O. Nevinskienė.
Photo by Julius Kalinskas / 15min / VCUP
According to her, the supermarkets have provided the Government with evidence that they know how to manage flows and are willing to work in any number.
The head of the company that manages the VCUP added that restaurants may not be able to operate immediately – last year, during the first wave of the pandemic, stores opened on April 25 and restaurants – more than three weeks. Catering establishments account for 30%. all VCUP stores.
Like many landlords, VCUP tried to help its tenants during the pandemic.
“During the last pandemic, we jointly and jointly applied quite large discounts, now we are awaiting the Government’s decision on compensation. It has to be accepted and we will definitely agree with the tenants, we will unequivocally help them. We are first waiting for a decision on how the government intends to support them, “said O. Nevinskienė.
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