Lithuanian court to rule on 1st complaint over lockdown restrictions on businesses

  • 2021-02-04
  • BNS/TBT Staff

VILNIUS – A Vilnius court is expected to rule on Thursday on the first known complaint against the government for imposing coronavirus lockdown restrictions on businesses.   

In its suit filed with Vilnius Regional Administrative Court, Aukstaitijos Implantologijos Klinika, a dental and beauty services provider, claims that the government exceeded its powers when it ordered businesses to close in mid-March 2020 and seeks 70,000 euros in damages for lost revenue and expenses it incurred because of the measure. 

The company also wanted the court to suspend the administrative proceedings and ask the Constitutional Court to look at the constitutionality of the government's resolution on the first lockdown and some laws. 

The suit, filed by the company last July, is the first known complaint over the lockdown restrictions.  

In a bid to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, the government introduced the first nationwide lockdown on March 16, closing Lithuania's borders and imposing restrictions on trade and services. It started to gradually ease the restrictions in the second half of April and lifted the lockdown on June 17.  

The bans and restrictions were imposed based on the Law on the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases in Humans and the Law on Civil Protection. 

As part of the second nationwide lockdown in place since November 7, most shops and services are currently closed and there are restrictions on people's movements and gatherings.