The Lithuanian government will next month consider reopening theaters and concert halls, but the ban on large public events will remain in place at least until summer, Culture Minister Simonas Kairys said on Monday.
The government has not yet set any specific dates, he said, adding that steps to ease lockdown restrictions will be discussed after Easter.
“Less emphasis should be placed on large events, because it's obvious that if they are allowed to restart, this will happen no earlier than in summer,” the minister told LRT RADIO.
“We have to be careful and start reopening what are the lowest-risk venues, such as theatres, philharmonic halls and some chamber spaces. This is where we could start and this would be the best trial and the best experiment,” he added.
A few days ago, around 5,000 people attended a trial concert in Barcelona. Everyone underwent antigen tests ahead of the concert and were asked to wear FPP2 surgical masks.
“We see one or another example where a concert took place as an experiment,” Kairys said. “I'm not saying that we can't have this, but I'd like us to move sensibly, sustainably, clearly, step by step toward easing restrictions so as not to worsen the pandemic situation.”
‘More flexibility’
President Gitanas Nausėda commented on Monday that the government should be more flexible in easing restrictions on cultural activities.
“In fact, we reopened cultural and educational institutions too late, especially cultural ones, and we must do everything we can to open up those things that are extremely important for everyone [...], while following safety requirements,” Nausėda told BNS.
Access to cultural life could help people cope with the hardships of the coronavirus lockdown, the president noted.
The authorities should be flexible and decide on a case-by-case basis whether or not to allow an event to take place, he added.
As part of its lockdown easing steps, the government has allowed museums and galleries to reopen, but the ban on organising public events remains in place.
Last weekend, the M.A.M.A. music awards ceremony provoked a public outcry, with some accusing the organisers of failing to comply with the lockdown rules. Some called the event “a feast during the plague”.
The organisers said all participants had been tested for Covid-19 before the ceremony and the staff wore face masks.
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