Lithuania to introduce nationwide COVID-19 lockdown

The Lithuanian government on Wednesday decided to introduce another nationwide lockdown as of Saturday till Nov. 29 due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the Baltic country, reported Xinhua.

"In view of the unfavorable COVID-19 epidemiological situation, we propose a quarantine throughout the territory of Lithuania," Health Minister Aurelijus Veryga was quoted as saying by local website Lrt.lt.

Currently, 34 of Lithuania's 60 municipalities are in the "red zone" with high COVID-19 infection rates and 21 are under local quarantines, including its three biggest cities -- Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipeda.

The new restrictive measures include a prohibition for gathering in public places for groups of more than five people, except for family members. Wearing of facemasks is mandatory in all public places with rare exceptions.

Sports events are allowed without spectators. Participants in weddings and funerals are limited to 10.

Sales and service outlets will be allowed open, but 10 square meters per person will have to be ensured or no more than one customer will be served at a time. No restrictions are imposed on supermarkets and pharmacies.

Cafes, bars and restaurants are only allowed to provide takeaway or delivery food. Gyms, pools, SPA centers, museums, cinemas and theaters will be closed.

According to the Ministry of Health, Lithuania has to date reported a total of 18,092 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 182 deaths and 5,082 recoveries.

In the midst of the pandemic, countries across the globe, including China, Russia, Britain and the United States, are racing to develop a vaccine.