The Lithuanian government decided to stop the rule of requiring the country’s national, digital Covid-19 certificate – the opportunity passport – for the public to enter shops, restaurants and other indoor public spaces. On Wednesday, February 2, Lithuania also registered its highest number of new Covid-19 infections – 12,278 – in one day.
Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT reports, that the document that has been in effect since spring 2021 as a way to prove a person’s immunity against Covid-19 after full vaccination or recovery from the disease will not be valid from Saturday, February 5.
According to the government, Covid-19 certificates – issued to people immunised against Covid-19 – played an important role in controlling the spread of the pandemic, but no longer work against the new Omicron mutation.
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«With the spread of the much more contagious Omicron variant, both the unvaccinated and vaccinated or recovered people are at risk of infection,» according to a document proposed by the Health Ministry. «As a result, the effectiveness of Covid certificates as a means of limiting Covid spread is significantly diminished.»
However, the ministry added, the certificates may be re-introduced in the future.
At the same time, the government set a requirement for retailers to manage customer flows, ensuring at least 15 square metres of floor space per person.
The article originally appeared on LRT English: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1604708/lithuania-to-suspend-covid-certificates-as-of-saturday
Lithuania decides to stop use of Covid-19 certificate at 12,278 new cases
