Lithuania extends nationwide COVID-19 lockdown till Feb. 28

The Lithuanian government on Wednesday extended the existing nationwide COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions on movement for another month till Feb. 28, reported Xinhua.

"The quarantine restrictions have contributed to slowing the spread of the coronavirus in Lithuania, but morbidity rates are still high," said the government in a press release.

At present, the 14-day incidence of COVID-19 stands at 498.2 cases per 100,000, less than half the figure in December, according to the data of the Department of Statistics.

Under the lockdown, it is only possible to leave one's municipality in exceptional cases, such as for the purposes of work or healthcare, or to visit single people in accordance with the rules of the social bubble.

Residents are urged to leave home only for essential reasons as going to work, grocery shopping, or for medical reasons. Protective face masks are mandatory in all public places.

Catering establishments and other public visiting venues are closed and services are restricted. Gatherings both at home and in public places are not allowed.

State and municipal institutions and establishments offer services remotely, with rare exceptions.

Lithuania introduced a second nationwide lockdown from Nov. 7 till Nov. 29 and later extended it until Jan. 31 due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the Baltic country.

Lithuania reported on Wednesday 1,278 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the national total to 179,212. To date, 2,716 people have died and 123,562 have recovered in the country, the Department of Statistics said.