Lithuania Lifts Some Lockdown Rules to Partially Restart Economy

(Bloomberg) --

Lithuania eased some quarantine restrictions as it may be approaching a tipping point in its coronavirus fight and prepares to gradually restart the economy.

The Baltic nation will allow small retailers to reopen as long as social-distancing measures are adhered to, officials said Wednesday. Services that don’t require a longer contact with clients -- such as small repair shops -- will also resume operations. Gyms, hairdressers, restaurants and cafes will remain closed.

Governments across Europe are trying to balance the need to limit the economic damage against the risk of a resurgence of the disease. Lithuania was one of the first to clamp down on public life to halt the spread of the coronavirus and has so far managed to limit the impact. It has reported 1,091 cases so far with 29 coronavirus-related deaths.

Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis said the government won’t hesitate to reverse course if the numbers were to spike again or if people disregard social-distancing rules.

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