IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS

We would like to inform that Lithuanian authorities have announced additional precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the country from 16 to 30 March.

Quarantine set to be introduced at midnight on March 16, Monday to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. Once the quarantine is in place, Lithuanian citizens, with some exceptions, will be banned from leaving the country, and foreigners will be banned from entering the country.

Important restrictions

• Foreign nationals will not be allowed to come to Lithuania.

1. If you are a foreign citizen planning to return to your home country during the quarantine, we strongly advise contacting your embassy immediately. Here’s a list of Lithuania-based embassies and consulates.

2. People must self-isolate for two weeks after returning from any foreign country.

3. More information can be found here www.urm.lt  

• The number of border checkpoints to enter Lithuania has been reduced.
• Lithuanian citizens will not be allowed to leave the country, unless they reside or work in another country. The State Border Guard Service has the right to grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
• SPA centres, beauty salons, shops and shopping centres are closed.
• Museums, theatres, cinemas, schools and universities are closed, as are the city’s Tourist Information Centre’s.
• Restaurants and bars are closed, except for food deliveries. Grocery stores, markets and pharmacies will continue operating.
• All public events, including conferences and other performances, are cancelled.
• The municipality has suspended non-essential services.
• Visiting patients in medical treatments facilities is prohibited, so is visiting prisoners in incarceration facilities.
• Planned elective medical procedures have been postponed, with the exception of emergency medical assistance. Rehabilitation and dental services are also suspended, as well as planned vaccinations.
• The number of passengers on intercity buses and trains is restricted to maintain the necessary distances between passengers. This requirement also applies to public transport within Vilnius.
• Public transport will run as usual but tickets can no longer be purchased on the bus directly from the driver. We suggest downloading the Trafi App (download on the App Store, download on the Android) and using online tickets. It’s easy, very simple and available in English. Night buses are cancelled.
• Hotels have been informed that they will have to allow people to stay during quarantine if necessary; the state will cover these costs.
• Public and private sectors workers are recommended to work from home.

Important note: Foreign nationals will be allowed to enter the territory of Lithuania until midnight, March 19 on condition they cross without indispensable stop.

You can follow the latest news in English about the situation in Lithuania on the LRT website at: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english

COVID-19 Hotline in Lithuania: 1808 (free of charge).

Travel Recommendations

• Lithuanian citizens, with some exceptions, are prohibited from leaving the country, and foreigners are prohibited from entering the country.  
• The prohibition of foreign nationals entering the Republic of Lithuania has some exceptions, including drivers and crew members conducting the commercial and/or international carriage of goods, residents of the Republic of Lithuania, diplomats, foreigners who have work permits in Lithuania, persons enjoying immunities and privileges under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963) and military personnel of NATO countries, their staff and members of their families.
• Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania will only be allowed to leave the country during the quarantine period if their declared place of residence is abroad, or to go to their place of work. They will need to present specific documents as proof. More information is provided here (text in LT).
• Border crossing will be allowed at the following international border crossing points: Kalvarija–Budzisko, Saločiai–Grenctāle, Būtingė–Rucava, Smėlynė–Medume, Medininkai–Kamenyj Log, Raigardas–Privalka, Kybartai–Chernyshevskoe, and Panemunė–Sovietsk, as well as the Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga, and Šiauliai airports, and the Klaipėda State Seaport.

What to do if you suspect you have a virus

• If symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing) occur within two weeks of travelling to one the affected areas or you have been in contact with people with confirmed COVID-19 cases, you should immediately call the Emergency Help Centre line 112, report the circumstances of the illness, and follow medical advice.
• IMPORTANT: please do not go to the hospital by yourself.
• Avoid any contact. Self-insulating until ambulance arrives. An ambulance crew will take you to the hospital.
• Laboratory diagnostics will be performed at the hospital. Hospital staff will inform you of further steps.
• To prevent coronavirus infection, everyone is recommended to follow standard measures to reduce the spread of disease: wash hands frequently with warm water and soap, avoid touching the face and eyes, practice proper coughing and sneezing etiquette (coughing and sneezing into a tissue or bent elbow), practice safe cooking (especially with regard to meat or eggs) and avoid close contact with anyone who exhibits respiratory disease symptoms, like coughing or sneezing.
  Latest news by the Lithuanian Ministry of Health.