Some public services in Vilnius, including medical institutions, places of worship, and kindergartens, situated within the restricted area, will be accessible only on foot during the upcoming NATO Vilnius Summit, the city’s authorities said on Monday.
The restrictions will also apply to other establishments within the restricted-movement area.
On July 10-12, traffic will be banned in the Vilnius Old Town. Traffic and movement restrictions will also be in place at Vilnius Airport, in some parts of the Naujininkai area, and close to the LITEXPO exhibition centre, where the summit will take place.
“All these zones will be intensive in terms of traffic restrictions, and all the schemes will be published when we are allowed to do so,” Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas told reporters on Monday.
Movement in the Old Town during the NATO summit will be possible only on foot after crossing security zones, the mayor said.
“Security checkpoints will be in place around the Old Town, and people will have to go through them to enter the Old Town,” Benkunskas said.
Some areas or streets will be closed completely, and some will be closed temporarily. Residents will be invited to learn more about the changes closer to the summit, the Vilnius Municipality said.
On July 11-12, public transport will be restricted near the LITEXPO centre. Buses and trolleybuses will go to the bus and railway stations, but there may be changes to the routes as they will bypass the Old Town or certain street sections.
Restricted areas will be pedestrian-only and closed to all vehicles, including bicycles and e-scooters, so residents and businesses are urged to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
The Vilnius authorities point out that businesses operating in these zones will be able to operate with certain exceptions. Restrictions on outdoor outlets, such as cafés, will be announced closer to the event.
Waste management companies will clear bins before the introduction of traffic restrictions.
According to the Vilnius Municipality, taxis, ride-hailers, and couriers will not be allowed to enter the closed areas. Only special vehicles with permits will be able to enter and they will include the police, the Dignitary Protection Service, the ambulance and fire services, and the city’s emergency services.
All information about the NATO summit and traffic restrictions is available at nato.vilnius.lt.
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