Lithuania mulls extending lockdown, easing rules for vaccinated people, opening bars, gyms

  • 2021-04-14
  • BNS/TBT Staff

VILNIUS – The Lithuanian government is considering extending the coronavirus lockdown until June, but relaxing more restrictions for vaccinated people and those who have had the virus, and allowing bars, cultural venues and gyms to reopen.

Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said that longer-term proposals would be presented to the Cabinet on Wednesday and would be voted on at its meeting on Thursday.

One of the proposals is to loosen the lockdown restrictions for holders of a document proving that they have been fully vaccinated or have had the virus. They would be allowed to gather in groups of up to 10 people, visit patients in hospitals, go on excursions and hold parties.

The Cabinet will also decide whether to permit in-person contact between members of two households, and allow theaters, gyms, cafes and bars to reopen, and events to be organized. 

Professional cultural venues and movie theaters would be allowed to reopen to a limited audience, with the exact number yet to be set. 

The proposals also include allowing events of up to 50 people to be organized indoors and outdoors. 

Restaurants, cafes, bars and other food serving venues would be permitted to open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and serve food only outdoors and up to two customers per table.

The Cabinet will also consider revising the list of municipalities subject to less stringent requirements.