Covid-19, Crisis, Lithuania, Markets and Companies, Transport

“It is too early to draw any conclusions but we have not yet noticed any changes, for instance, 150 individuals left Lithuania by noon,” he told.

The largest numbers of people went by road to Latvia and by ferry to Kiel from Klaipeda, Liubajevas said adding that the majority of those leaving were the persons who had been allowed to leave the country during the period of the exit ban.

“The majority of those leaving are probably the citizens who were previously able to leave from Lithuania due to a remote job or residence abroad,” he explained.

In line with the government’s decision adopted last week, Lithuanian nationals can leave the country without any restrictions starting Monday as part of a further easing of the coronavirus lockdown.

Polish and Russian borders are currently closed to foreign nationals, but they are allowed to enter Belarus and Latvia, the other two countries bordering Lithuania.  

The exit ban on citizens, except for those living or working abroad, was imposed in mid-March and Lithuania’s border guards barred more than 450 people from leaving during its effective period.

However, Lithuania's borders remain closed to foreign nationals, except for commercial vehicle drivers, diplomats and soldiers. Lithuanian border guards have barred 1,360 people from entering the country since the start of the lockdown.