Lithuania ends Covid-related 'extreme situation'

On May 1, Lithuania is ending the “extreme situation”, a legal regime declared at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic more than two years ago.

The Lithuanian government decided to lift the “extreme situation” taking into account a steady decline in the number of new coronavirus cases and hospital admissions. Lithuania has also reached a Covid-19 immunisation rate of over 80 percent.

“We are not saying that the disease is gone but that it is under control. [...] As of May 1, Lithuania is moving to [calling Covid-19] an ordinary disease, lifting the extreme situation,” said Deputy Health Minister Aušra Bilotienė Motiejūnienė.

Masks

Lithuania has already scrapped the requirement to wear masks in most indoor places. Currently, masks are only compulsory in medical and care facilities, as well as public transport.

As of May 1, however, mask-wearing will become recommended and no longer compulsory in all indoor facilities.

Coronavirus in Lithuania | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.

“There will be a big change in the wearing of masks.[…] The health ministry encourages people to continue assessing where they do not feel safe and need to wear masks. This is becoming a recommendation,” Bilotienė Motiejūnienė said.

Testing and vaccination

There will no longer be mobile Covid-19 testing sites in Lithuania as of May 1. Moreover, people will no longer be able to register for a test by calling 1808.

To register for the Covid-19 test, people will have to turn to their family doctor. Testing will be decentralised and will take place at primary healthcare facilities.

“We are doing away with periodic testing at educational institutions as well. But if a child is unwell, parents have the option to test the child, as public health specialists will have the tests available,” Bilotienė Motiejūnienė said.

Those wishing to register for a vaccine will be able to do so on the koronastop.lt website.

Covid-19 testing site | J. Stacevičiaus / LRT nuotr.

Self-isolation

Self-isolation will no longer be compulsory even after a positive Covid-19 test. Family doctors will decide on the length of their patients’ sick leave based on their condition.

As of May 1, the National Centre for Public Health will no longer collect questionnaires on the infected people’s contacts. However, the centre will continue to investigate coronavirus outbreaks.