Omicron In Lithuania

Work of the National Public Health Laboratory | Photo J. Stacevičiaus/LRT
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As of December 20, the Lithuanian government was not planning to introduce lockdown over the holidays, but more restrictions are possible if there is a spike in Covid-19 infections, according to LRT news.

Lithuania confirmed its first cases of the Omicron variant last week. Some countries in the EU have reintroduced lockdowns in response to the spread of the more contagious virus mutation, but Lithuania is not planning to follow suit, according to Vice Minister of Health Aušra Bilotienė-Motiejūnienė.

Current rules require people to wear facemasks in all public indoor spaces. Moreover, Covid passes are required by most shops and service providers. Government officials have said that additional restrictions will be considered if there are signs that Lithuania’s healthcare system is overwhelmed.

There are currently 1,319 hospitalized Covid-19 patients in Lithuania, including 104 in need of intensive care, both numbers having been relatively stable in recent weeks. Health Minister Arūnas Dulkys said in early November that the government would likely introduce a lockdown once ICU cases hit 240.

For the time being, revaccination is seen as the most effective way to fight Covid-19, according to Bilotienė-Motiejūnienė. She also reiterated that people should heed safety recommendations by the Health Ministry.

“Be sensible, wear masks, maintain distances, refrain from events,” the minister said. “All I can say is that, compared to last Friday, the number of cases is going up.”

LRT.lt