Lithuania has adopted the common EU system for designating coronavirus-affected countries. The new self-isolation and entry requirements come into force on Monday.
As of October 26, Lithuania has been designated 'yellow' in the traffic light system employed across the European Union. Only people arriving from countries marked red or grey will be required to self-isolate or undertake a test for the coronavirus.
Under the new rules, if arrivals present a negative Covid-19 test taken no earlier than 48 hours before departing to Lithuania – or a test taken once in Lithuania – they will no longer be required to self-isolate for 10 days.
However, arrivals are still required to avoid public events or going to crowded indoor locations, including shops, museums, and restaurants.
Self-isolation upon arrival is also not required if a person has a document proving that they have been ill and have recovered from Covid-19 within three months of arriving in Lithuania.
When can you temporarily leave your place of self-isolation?
According to the Lithuanian Health Ministry, the self-isolation requirement also does not apply to:
– Workers defined as “critical” by the government.
– Truck drivers and drivers and passengers of vehicles crossing the country in transit to another destination.
– People travelling for medical purposes.
– Students and trainees going abroad on a daily basis.
– People travelling for “important” family or business affairs.
– Diplomats, workers of international organisations and people invited to Lithuania by international organisations, military personnel and police officers, people providing humanitarian support, civil security personnel.
– Sailors.
– Journalists.
– Professional athletes, instructors, and sports specialists taking part in international competitions.
– Lithuanian teachers and religious workers returning from Belarus.
People arriving in Lithuania who have been in contact with an infected person can temporary leave their place of isolation, but need to inform the National Public Health Centre (NSVC) no later than 24 hours before the day.
They are allowed to leave self-isolation under the following conditions:
– To attend a funeral and proceedings (the 24-hour rule does not apply).
– To go to a healthcare institution to have a Covid-19 test done, or for other healthcare needs.
– People who arrive in Lithuania for studies or judicial reasons can leave their place of self-isolation for urgent affairs
– To take part in their own wedding.
– Professional athletes, instructors, and sports specialists to take part, train, or work in sporting events, as well as attend institutions associated with international competitions.
– Foreign nationals who arrive in Lithuania under a “special humanitarian” visa (i.g., people fleeing repressions in Belarus) can leave their place of self-isolation for healthcare needs or legal affairs.
– To go to state institutions and organisations after receiving an invite.
Foreign and Lithuanian nationals who live or work abroad can also depart the country before the 10-day isolation period has lapsed. The same applies to people leaving Lithuania to receive medical care in a foreign country.
Meanwhile, people residing in Lithuania can only leave their place of self-isolation after coming into contact with an infected person for the following reasons:
– To organise or attend a funeral and associated proceedings
– To go to a healthcare institution to have a Covid-19 test done, or for other healthcare needs.
They still need to inform the National Public Health Centre (NVSC) no later than 24 hours before the required time.
People can also request to change the place of self-isolation by contacting the centre. Additionally, people who need to take a test for Covid-19 in one of the drive-in testing stations do not need to inform the NVSC.
How long do you need to stay in self-isolation?
According to the new guidelines, people who have been in contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 need to self-isolate for 14 days after the date of contact. Alternatively, the self-isolation can be shorted in case the person tests negative for the infection no earlier than 10 days after the contact.
Meanwhile, those who suspect they have the virus need to self-isolate until they receive a negative test result.
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