Lithuania has updated the rules for its national Covid certificates, the so-called Opportunity Pass (Galimybių Pasas). Here's what you need to know.
As of December 28, people are required to get a booster vaccine shot seven months after their full vaccination (including the one-shot Jenssen jab) to continue to be eligible for the pass. The certificate is also no longer be accessible to those who have tested positive for the coronavirus more than 210 days prior.
Children above the age of 12 years and two months are also required to have a Covid pass to access certain services. It is not required for schools and educational activities. Children aged 12–16 can acquire the pass after getting fully vaccinated or recovering from the coronavirus. The certificates will also be valid for seven months.
Children will also be eligible after undergoing a serological antibody test after which the certificate will be valid for 60 days. It will then be extended by undergoing regular testing at school or doing a PCR test at a mobile testing site every seven days. The testing will be paid for by the state.
For adults, the Opportunity Pass can be extended for 60 days after getting a positive serological antibody test result. A negative PCR test will be valid for three days. The pass will be extended immediately and indefinitely after receiving the booster shot.
The first serological antibody test for adults will be covered by the state, all subsequent ones will have to be paid for by the individual.
The certificate will not have an expiry date under the following conditions:
– If a person has recovered from Covid-19 (with the infection confirmed by a PCR test) and has been fully vaccinated.
– If a fully vaccinated person later got infected and recovered from Covid-19.
– If a person who has received one shot of the vaccine, then got infected with the coronavirus, later received the second jab.
European Covid pass to be valid for longer
Under new rules published by the European Commission earlier in December, The EU Digital COVID Certificate will be valid for nine months.
A booster shot or a negative test will be required to extend the pass from February 1, according to the European Commission.
Brussels has recommended applying the same rules in each member state. However, Lithuania will keep its national certifcate valid for seven months.
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