Lithuania: Baltic states to reopen borders May 15 /update 7

Event

On Wednesday, May 6, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins announced that Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia agreed to reopen their borders to citizens of the three countries starting on Friday, May 15, amid plans to ease coronavirus disease (COVID-19) travel restrictions. According to Karins' statement "The citizens arriving from other countries must obey a 14-day self isolation period."

Lithuanian authorities began to relax COVID-19 restrictions on Thursday, April 23. Shops and malls resumed operations, and businesses such as hairdressers, museums, libraries, and golf courses reopened on Monday, April 27. However, they are required to enforce social distancing measures upon reopening, such as restricting the number of customers to one person per ten square meters (32 square feet). 

The government also announced that the full relaxation of lockdown measures, originally set to take place on April 27, will be delayed until Monday, May 11. Under the initial decree, Lithuania closed its borders to foreign citizens; exceptions will be made for drivers and crew members in the case of commercial or international goods transportation, as well as for military and diplomatic staff. Individuals arriving from foreign countries will be subject to a 14-day mandatory quarantine.

As of May 6, there are 1428 confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide, including 48 associated fatalities. Further international spread of COVID-19 is expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the virus.