The lockdown and movement restrictions extended for another month

The quarantine restrictions have contributed to slowing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Lithuania, but morbidity rates are still high. Therefore, on Wednesday the Government has decided to extend the lockdown until 28 February. The ban on moving between municipalities will be valid until 28 February as well.

At present, the 14-day incidence of COVID-19 has halved compared to December, when it exceeded 1,000 cases per 100,000 population in Lithuania. According to the data of Statistics Lithuania, the morbidity rate in Lithuania has totalled 498.2 on 27 January. According to the statistics of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Lithuania remains in the red zone, and is among the countries that are most affected by the coronavirus.

According to epidemiologists, the spread of the disease has not been reduced enough to lift the restrictions. If this is done too early, the incidence is likely to start rising again. This is the position of other European Union countries as well. Some of them, such as France and Germany, are considering not only extending the restrictions but also tightening them up.

In view of experts' opinion, the Government has decided to extend the duration of the quarantine regime set by Resolution No 1226 of 4 November 2020 'Declaring quarantine on the territory of the Republic of Lithuania'. The prohibition for individuals to leave the municipality in which they reside has been extended for the same period.

It is only possible to leave one's municipality in exceptional cases, such as for the purposes of work or healthcare, or to visit single people in accordance with the rules of the social bubble.