Lithuania: Authorities announce three-week lockdown as of November 7 /update 9

Event

Lithuanian authorities have announced that a nationwide three-week lockdown will commence on Saturday, November 7, in attempts to stem the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The government stated that people should avoid social contact and non-essential travel and encouraged people to work-from-home where possible. Public groups of more than five people will be banned and no more than ten people will be allowed at weddings or funerals. Secondary schools, universities, and gyms will be closed; shops will limit the number of customers, and restaurants will only be able to serve take-aways.

Throughout Lithuania, it is compulsory to wear a mask or face covering in taxis and on public transport. Those who fail to comply face a fine.

As of Wednesday, November 4, there have been 18,092 reported cases of COVID-19 in Lithuania with 182 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in 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). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

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

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

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.