Today the Cabinet sitting has taken a decision to lift the quarantine as of 16 June 24:00; however, the national state of emergency has been kept in force due to the threat of the spread of COVID-19. The Government has also retained (has not withdrawn) the declared third (full readiness) level of civil protection system.
Temporary internal border controls have been extended from 17 June 2020 to 16 July 2020. Checks on persons entering the Republic of Lithuania will be carried out at the internal border of the European Union: at international airports and in Klaipėda State Seaport. This means that only the passports of persons arriving by plane or ferry will be checked. Passports of persons arriving by land will not be checked.
‘The state of emergency is kept in effect having lifted the quarantine in the country, and some restrictions on border controls will remain. Special attention will be paid to third countries. Arrival of foreigners will only be foreseen if a mutual agreement is reached between the states on the admission of citizens, and if the morbidity rates in those countries do not exceed the prescribed requirements,’ says Minister of the Interior Rita Tamašunienė.
At the sitting, temporary restrictions on crossing the state border have also been set, determining cases where foreign nationals are not allowed to enter the territory of the Republic of Lithuania.
Nationals and legal residents of the European Economic Area, the Swiss Confederation, and the United Kingdom would only be allowed to enter Lithuania arriving from their countries if the incidence of COVID-19 disease (coronavirus infection) did not exceed 25 cases per 100,000 population in their country of legal residence during the last 14 calendar days. The Head of State Emergency Operations will publish a list of such states every week.
Entry from third countries will only be foreseen if a mutual agreement between states on the admission of citizens is reached.
In addition, as before, entry will be allowed to all foreigners who have the right to reside in Lithuania and foreigners who are family members (parents (adoptive parents), children (adopted children), spouses, and guardians) of Lithuanian citizens and foreigners who have the right to permanent residence in Lithuania. Prohibition will not apply to foreigners holding a national visa of the Republic of Lithuania.
The Government has also agreed that border controls with the Republic of Poland are lifted as of 12 June. It will be possible to travel to the neighbouring country without giving any grounds, and there will be no need to apply isolation. ‘We have been talking about the restoration of free movement with Poland for several weeks now. Of course, the risks will be assessed, but currently Poland is classified as a safe state; therefore, a decision has been made to abandon border controls,’ says Minister of the Interior Tamašunienė.
Having lifted the quarantine, in the field of education safety requirements will only apply to pre-school, pre-primary, and non-formal education of children that will take place in summer.
Provision of services, trade in public trading outlets, leisure and entertainment activities, operation of catering facilities, restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs and other entertainment venues, gambling houses (casinos) and amusement arcades, bingo halls, cultural, entertainment, sports, and other events shall be organized and conducted subject to the conditions for the management of the flows of people, safe physical distance, and other key requirements for public health safety, hygiene, and the use of personal protective equipment.
The number of people who can take part in the events will gradually increase every two weeks. From June 17 to 30, events may be organized and held in open spaces with up to 700 spectators and/or participants, and in closed spaces, with up to 150 (excluding performers, athletes, high-performance sports and physical activity specialists, high-performance sports and physical activity instructors, judges, anti-doping officers, organizers, and support staff).
On July 1-16, up to 1,000 participants will be able to attend events held in open spaces, and up to 200 participants, in closed spaces.
Medical facilities organise their activities by managing patient flows as well as infrastructure, material and human resources. Priority is given to remote outpatient services, but medical facilities are free to choose the method of service provision that best suits patient interests. Health care services may be resumed once the medical facilities prepare a plan for routine impatient and outpatient services and submit it to the National Public Health Centre.
Aurelijus Veryga, Head of the State-Level Emergency Operations Centre and Minister of Health, will continue to make decisions needed to manage and respond to the state of emergency.
‘The further spread of the virus will largely depend on public awareness. We recommend continuing to protect each other, wear masks, observe hygiene requirements, and avoid unnecessary contacts,’ says Giedrius Surplys, Head of the Public Information Group.
To view Government Resolution No 207 declaring quarantine on the territory of the Republic of Lithuania, please click this link (In Lithuanian, consolidated version as of 12-16 June 2020).
Key information on coronavirus is available at: www.koronastop.lt/en/
Public Information Group