More freedoms for vaccinated people in Lithuania, if lockdown was needed again – minister

VILNIUS – Vaccinated people would have more freedoms in Lithuania, if a new lockdown was needed in the country, Health Minister Arunas Dulkys says.

"We are now at a stage where we have no right to ignore a half of Lithuanian residents who are vaccinated and they also have the right to raise the issue that the same measures cannot be used. We want to live a normal life," the minister said during his visit to the western resort of Palanga on Thursday.

Vaccination is the key instrument in managing the pandemic, he said, adding that "we need to come and take the vaccine" as it's been bought for every resident of Lithuania.

Dulkys also paid attention to the ongoing discussions on mandatory vaccination in some countries. He does not rule out that similar decision might be taken in Lithuania as well.

"We have not reached that stage but I won’t hide: if threats to the public health and the state's interests continue to grow, that is a national state security matter," the minister said.

46.1 percent of people in Lithuania have so far had at least one doze of a coronavirus vaccine.