WESC: So far, restrictions between municipalities are not lifted, but there is good news

Talk about certain releases in this area, when the morbidity rate will be less than 200 cases per 100,000. population in 14 days, the proportion of positive tests will be less than 10 percent, then we can consider releasing the movement between the ring and the municipalities of the city.

If the morbidity rate is less than 150 cases and the proportion of positive tests does not exceed 5 percent, it may be considered to restrict movement between municipalities only on weekends and holidays.

And the third stage: if we reach the limit of 100 cases, the proportion of positive tests will not exceed 4 percent, we can talk about the abolition of the movement restriction, except for those municipalities where the number of cases would exceed 100, ” said Minister A. Bilotaitė.

Permission will also be offered to the government to work on cross-country ski trails.

What releases can you expect?

For his part, Health Minister Arūnas Dulkys stated that the four-scenario plan must be approved by the Government.

“It just came to our knowledge then. We will try to capture a more detailed photograph of the four scenarios (…) with indicators and with each area when and what issues will be discussed at the government meetings and this Wednesday, at the government meeting,” he said. the Minister.

According to him, we should talk about the gradual release from quarantine.

“We need to properly assess the positive knowledge or trends that we have now. We see possible risks that we can face, ”said A. Dulkys.

As a result, the Minister noted, each week the WEU, together with the Government, will be able to review what measures can be further liberalized or implemented.

“We have achieved this result with a set of measures, so we will try to make the releases gradually, in consultation, analyzing if we continue to have positive trends,” said A. Dulkys.

He also noted that the government will be offered to allow outdoor ski services, to allow non-food stores to operate if they have a separate entrance from the outside. The minister also said that companies that provide beauty services could go back to work, guaranteeing all security measures.

“We will try to secure directions at the government meeting on Wednesday, the government will make more decisions in each case and … we will consult with experts,” added A. Dulkys.

Educational institutions

The Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Jurgita Šiugždinienė, announced at a press conference when primary and secondary students will be able to return to school.

“We plan to allow elementary school children to return to school at the end of February, after the holidays. But it will become a reality when the morbidity rate is only less than 200 cases per 100,000 population in the last 14 days. , and the proportion of positive tests is less than 10 percent. And graduates could return to mixed education if the morbidity rate were less than 150 cases per 100 thousand population in 14 days, the proportion of positive tests – no more than 5 percent ”, presented the Minister.

J. Šiugždinienė also clarified that the examination plan for graduates will depend on the additional epidemiological situation.

“Maturity tests will be carried out, we have already made some decisions. (…) Our final decisions must be taken before March 1, but I hope we can make and communicate them sooner, ”said the Minister.

He also noted that educators who refuse to be vaccinated will be able to work with children in contact form.

“Vaccination is not mandatory. I don’t think we can prohibit teachers who are not vaccinated from participating in education. I am very much looking forward to the awareness of teachers and I firmly believe that most of them will be vaccinated, I have no doubts about it ”, said J. Šiugždinienė.

What measures have worked?

When asked whether the ministry has carried out an analysis of which restrictions imposed in the country have had the greatest impact on the management of the COVID-19 infection, A. Dulkys stated that there is no specific analysis, but the impact of the set of measures is judged.

“We discussed with our independent expert board, there is a specificity in each country. We recognize that it is very difficult to give such a precise answer, which measure has had the greatest impact. It seems that the greatest impact has the fulfillment of the most basic hygiene requirements of the people, ”said the Minister of Health.

According to him, restricting people’s contacts also had the biggest impact.

“How unpleasant it would be for us, but apparently those movement restrictions are among the most effective, although there are various opinions about it,” said A. Dulkys.

According to him, in February they want to have a different quarantine regime.

“We want it to be completely different now – we discuss new tools every week, but we look very closely if they are changing and what the trends are.” Perhaps that experience will help us understand which measures are more effective, ”said the Minister.

Who will the police give priority to?

Police Commissioner General Renatas Požėla told a press conference that next week the focus will be on municipalities where morbidity rates are higher than the Lithuanian average.

“This is the municipality of Visaginas, or other municipalities located in the counties of Utena and Panevėžys. We see that the conditions for a stricter quarantine are small there and we need more capacity, ”said R. Požėla.

He said police officers reacted this weekend to information about a cafe in Vingis Park. The police officers fined everyone who was in the cafe, and the cafe owner was invited to the Vilnius city municipality.

“All visitors to the cafe were fined and the owner of the company received an invitation to come to the Vilnius city municipality to initiate administrative procedures,” he said.

Scenario C

Delphi recalls that the quarantine in Lithuania has been in force since November 7 and that strict measures were introduced on December 16.

Last week, the government decided to extend the quarantine and movement restrictions between the country’s municipalities until February 28.

Health Minister Arūnas Dulkys announced on Saturday that Lithuania had already entered quarantine stage C.

The total morbidity in Lithuania on Monday is 443.1 cases per 100 thousand. population in the last 14 days.

Representatives of the working group formed by Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė – Representatives of the Independent Expert Advisory Council presented 4 quarantine scenarios some time ago.

Scenario C The expert report defined it as follows: if the number of cases exceeds 100 cases, 100 thousand. population in 14 days, intensified testing and contact tracing measures, national restrictions in place; Stronger quarantine measures would be applied to the most proliferative activities.

This scenario would prohibit contact between more than two households.

Regarding the operation of health and social care institutions, the planned health care services will be maintained. Emergency care and supervision of COVID-19 patients is prioritized. Restricted access to social care institutions. Staff and patients would be evaluated periodically.

Higher education would be carried out remotely, with exceptions for the health, veterinary and life sciences, and staff are regularly tested.

Basic, secondary and primary education would be carried out in the classrooms through regular tests by teachers and students.

At the local level, more stringent restrictions may apply, depending on the epidemiological situation. Employees are tested regularly.

Preschool and preschool education would be provided at the national level. At the local level, stricter restrictions would apply depending on the epidemiological situation.
Employees are tested regularly.

The activities of the catering establishments are limited, only food is taken, the employees are periodically examined.
Flows at points of sale would be restricted and special service requirements would be applied to reduce the risk of infection. Employees are tested regularly.

The provision of services would be carried out at a distance or without contact. Except health, psychologists, psychotherapists (if necessary), veterinary, police and other services whose staff is periodically examined.

Restrictions apply between and / or within municipalities depending on the epidemiological situation. Depending on the epidemiological situation, restrictions may apply when traveling to foreign countries or when arriving in Lithuania: border control, traveler tests.

Meetings of people are prohibited. The number of participants in funerals and weddings must not exceed 10 people. There would be no museums, theaters, exhibitions, cinemas, or sports competitions, except professional sports training and competitions without spectators.