As the Lithuanian government extended restrictions on movement across municipalities, the country's police say they will execute the decision by setting up mobile checkpoints, warning that officers will be less forgiving than before.
“Police might show up anywhere and at any time. You should better not drive without a reason. The tolerance level will be much lower and, in cases of offence, there will be immediate liability,” Ramūnas Matonis, spokesman for the Police Department, told BNS on Monday.
Read more: Lithuania extends intercity travel ban
The locations and timing of mobile checkpoints will not be announced in advance, he said.
Members of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union, Military Police, border guards and officers from other institutions will help the police to control movement across municipal borders.
“The number of police officers will probably stay similar, and we also plan to involve police partners we have worked with so far,” the police spokesman said.
The government on Sunday extended restrictions on movement between municipalities until January 31. The extension will be reviewed on January 17 in light of infection and coronavirus mortality data.
Over 44,600 vehicles have been told to turn around at checkpoints since the middle of December when the intercity movement ban was introduced.
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