Bars and nightclubs in Lithuania can be open around the clock

Despite the relaxation of certain restrictions, the nationwide lockdown remains in force until 30 June

Taking one step at a time, the Lithuanian government has decided to lift from Thursday, 17 June, the curbs on opening hours for bars, cafes, night clubs and other catering and entertainment establishments.

Announcing this and other mitigation measures, Deputy Minister of Health Živilė Simonaitytė nevertheless made it clear that the nationwide quarantine regime is expected to remain in force until 30 June, according to the government decree issued last month. She joined other health experts in warning about the danger of the more infectious Delta variant penetrating the country, calling on the public not to adopt a carefree attitude during the summer vacation months.  

Unlimited opening hours

Current rules fix opening times of catering and entertainment venues from 07:00 until 24:00. Night clubs which typically open just before midnight have bemoaned this regulation as discriminatory and tantamount to an outright ban. From Thursday, these establishments will be able to operate with unlimited opening hours, admitting only clients holding Opportunity Passports indoors, while serving the rest in seated outdoor areas.

Opportunity Pass eligibility criteria

The national immunity certificate is issued to people who have been vaccinated against Covid-19, have recovered from the disease or have tested negative for the virus. The conditions for obtaining an Opportunity Passport have now been clarified:

• An extension of up to 13 weeks (instead of 12 weeks) after the first dose of Vaxzevria (formerly Astra Zeneca) vaccine has been given.
• People who are infected with Covid-19 (as confirmed by a PCR test) will be able to obtain a passport 2 weeks after receiving a single dose of vaccine.
• For reconvalescent people, the validity of the opportunity passport is extended to one month after the end of the 210-day period, so that they can be vaccinated without the passport expiring in the meantime.
• Antigen tests not older than 48 hours (instead of the current 24 h) will be accepted. PCR tests remain valid for 72 hours.

Vaccination loophole

One vaccine dose will be enough for people who have recovered from Covid-19 to obtain an Opportunity Passport as well as EU Digital COVID Certificate.

In-school education resumes

From 17 June, primary schoolchildren and students of grades 5-11 will be able to complete the school year in the classroom without testing. Such opportunities will not be available in five municipalities with worse epidemiological profile: Utena, Visaginas, Molėtai, Švenčionys, Ukmergė. These municipalities will require periodic preventive testing of students, teachers and other staff.

Children’s summer camps with up to 30 participants (children and parents) will be exempted from testing.  Testing will be mandatory for all camp organizers.

Mask-wearing exceptions 

People with audience-related jobs are exempted from the obligation to wear a facemask in their working environment indoors or outdoors. These include performers during performances, speakers and event hosts during events, broadcasts, rehearsals, video and audio recording sessions. A safe distance must be kept between them and the spectators / participants.