Lithuania Travel, the state tourism agency, has published timely information for foreign Citizens in Lithuania.

Are you in Lithuania and plan to return home?

While Lithuanian citizens and residents cannot exit the Country, there are no restrictions for residents of other countries to leave.  If you are planning on leaving the country:

– Check about cancellations with your airline; If your trip was cancelled, get in touch with your travel agency for other options; – While airlines are cancelling flights, some are still operating. Contact  Lithuanian Airports   for the latest information on which flights are still available. International flights from Lithuania are conducted from Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga. In case the only available flight home is from a neighbouring country (Latvia or Poland), contact your embassy or consulate. A list of foreign embassies and consulates can be found  here  . – Ferry connections from Klaipėda to Sweden and Germany have not been interrupted. The ferry to Kiel (Germany) departs every day at 22:00, whereas the ferry to Karlshamn (Sweden) leaves at 21:00. Travel on both ferries can be booked via  DFDS Seaways  . The  TT-Line   ferry to Trelleborg (Sweden) departs on Tuesdays at 19:00, Thursdays at 16:00, Sundays at 00:30 and 19:00. – Note that all international passenger train links have been cancelled (those include all connections to Latvia, Russia, Poland, Ukraine and Belarus). Transit passenger trains will still be passing Lithuania, but onboarding/disembarking the trains in Lithuania will not be possible. – If you are planning on exiting the country by land (Lithuania is bordered by Latvia, Belarus, Russia and Poland), make sure to  contact your embassy   beforehand. Neighbouring countries might have instated their own border crossing protocols, the workers of your embassy will inform you of crossing conditions. During the quarantine, only the following land crossing points are operating: Kalvarija-Budzisko, Saločiai-Grencatle, Butinge-Rucava, Smėlynė-Medume, Medininkai-Kamenyi Logo, Raigardas-Privalka, Kybartai-Chernševskoye, Panemunė-Sovetsk. The information above was updated at noon on March 16. We are trying our best to keep all the information valid. You can also check the Foreign Ministry  website   (in English) for the latest status update.

What does the quarantine entail?

The quarantine regime imposes certain restrictions meant to minimize the spread of the virus in Lithuania. Working from home is the preferred when possible, restaurants and bars are closed, public gatherings and events are restricted.

– foreign citizens cannot enter the country from midnight on March 16 (exempt from the ruling are those that have a valid residence permit, as well as truck drivers, diplomats, NATO enlisted and support personnel as well as their family members); – transit of people returning to their country via Lithuanian territory is possible until 00:01 on March 19; Lithuanian citizens are barred from exiting the country, except citizens returning to their country of residence or work; – all mass events are banned; – movement of goods is unrestricted; – inter-city buses are instructed to limit the number of passengers; – all public institutions will provide services only remotely; – all cafes, bars and restaurants to provide takeaway services only; – all non-essential goods retail stores to provide shipping services only. – Find more about the terms of the quarantine  here.

How can you stay informed?

The latest official information about the quarantine and the overall Covid-19 situation can be accessed at the Foreign Ministry  website   (in English). Alternatively, keep an eye on LRT English.

What if you suspect having the virus?

If you exhibit any of the Covid-19 symptoms (fever, coughing, difficulty to breath) within two weeks of travelling in one of the affected areas or you have been in close contact with someone who was confirmed to have COVID-19, immediately call 112 and follow the instructions provided by the medics.  Do not go to the hospital yourself.  Isolate yourself and wait for the ambulance to arrive. Diagnostics will be run at the hospital.

Don’t forget 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. More information about safety measures can be found on Go Vilnius  website  .

For more information, please call the nation-wide Covid-19 hotline 1808 or the National Public Health Center at 370618 79984. You can also send them an email at [email protected].

LRT.LT