From Wednesday, 23 February, self-isolation will remain mandatory only for those that have tested positive through PCR or antigen test or are suspected of having COVID-19 pending a confirmatory COVID-19 test result. There will be no need to self-isolate after the exposure to COVID-19, but it will still be recommended to work from home, observe health status, take rapid antigen self-tests, avoid physical contact with others, and wear respirators or medical masks.
Those exposed that had been placed under self-isolation before the date of entry into force of the order, can contact the National Public Health Centre to have their self-isolation terminated.
In all cases, where COVID-19 symptoms develop, including cough, fever, headache, shortness of breath, sore throat, or runny nose, it is recommended to self-isolate and book a PCR or a laboratory antigen test online at www.1808.lt or by phone at 1808.
In the case where PCR or antigen test result is positive, it is important to self-isolate without a delay and contact the family doctor, who will, if necessary, prescribe the most appropriate treatment, determine the duration of self-isolation, and issue a certificate of incapacity for work, where appropriate.
Self-isolation is no longer required in the case of exposure to COVID-19. However, there is a strong recommendation to follow these requirements:
- working from home, where possible;
- observing your health status. Once you develop coronavirus-specific symptoms, self-isolate immediately and book a PCR or a laboratory antigen test online at www.1808.lt or by phone at 1808;
- take a rapid antigen self-test as soon as you become aware of the exposure, after 48/72 hours after the first test and again after 48 hours. If you test positive, self-isolate immediately and book a PCR or a laboratory antigen test online at www.1808.lt or by phone at 1808;
- avoid contact with others for at least 7 days after the last day of the exposure to Covid-19
- wear a respirator (recommended) or medical mask, keep physical distance in contact with others for at least 7 days after the last day of the exposure to Covid-19.
Until now, mandatory self-isolation has been applied not only to those who have tested positive through PCR or antigen tests, but also to those who have been exposed to COVID-19 at home. There was an exemption applicable in the case of those that had a coronavirus infection within 90-days. Separate isolation algorithms were applied to critical services, health care establishments, and social care and education establishments.
The decision to withdraw the mandatory self-isolation after exposure has been taken as a result of the situation, where confirmed COVID-19 cases have often failed to notify of the exposed members in the household, who in fact have not been placed under isolation as a result. The decision to withdraw the mandatory self-isolation is also due to the improving epidemiological situation: the declining COVID-19 notification rate, and the slowing pandemic momentum (1.4% at the latest data). The last 7 days have shown a relatively smaller share of positive testing (51.3%). The change in new COVID-19 cases compared to the previous week was 29.8%.
Other European countries have been increasingly changing their COVID-19 management strategies too.
Norway withdrew, from 11 February 2022, most COVID-19 measures, including the 1 m distance requirement. Infected adults are no longer required to quarantine, but they are recommended instead to stay home for 4 days after testing positive for COVID-19.
In Switzerland, it is advised to exposed individuals to strictly follow the requirements of physical distancing and hygiene, observe their health status, wear a face mask in interactions, avoid contact and public places.
Sweden has suspended large-scale testing (mobile tent sites, in-flight testing centres, and home-delivered tests) for COVID-19 even in people with symptoms of infection.
In Denmark, exposed individuals are not required to self-isolate, but they are recommended to take a rapid antigen test or a PCR test after 3 days the confirmed case received a positive test result. Exposed individuals are recommended to self-isolate if they develop symptoms.