On May 1, Lithuania ended 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 immunization rate of over 80 percent.
Deputy Health Minister Aušra Bilotienė Motiejūnienė said the disease is not gone but is deemed under control. The health ministry encourages people to continue assessing where they do not feel safe and need to wear masks.
Lithuania has already dropped 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 is recommended and no longer compulsory in all indoor facilities.
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 decentralized and will take place at primary healthcare facilities.
Those wishing to register for a vaccine will be able to do so on the koronastop.lt website. 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 no longer collects questionnaires on the infected people’s contacts. However, the centre will continue to investigate coronavirus outbreaks. LRT.lt
