Lithuania to allow shops in malls to open on weekdays

VILNIUS – The Lithuanian government decided in principle on Wednesday to allow all shops located in malls to reopen, but they will have to close on weekends.      

The Cabinet is expected to make its final decision on the issue on Thursday. A week ago, it put off the reopening of malls due to rising coronavirus infections in the country.    

Lithuanian Health Minister Arunas Dulkys said that the reopening would be gradual, with shops and stalls in covered markets to be permitted to reopen at a later date than stores in shopping and entertainment centers. 

Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said that some shops could reopen next Monday, and others from May 3. They would not be allowed to operate on Saturdays and Sundays, however.  

"If we see that these venues that attract large numbers of people properly manage shopper flows, we'll reconsider that proposal," she told the Cabinet. 

All retailers with direct street access were allowed to reopen in mid-March as part of the government's lockdown easing steps, but most non-food shops located in malls remain closed.