People wearing face masks shop in a store in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Sept. 30, 2021. Amid increased COVID-19 infection rates, the Lithuanian government on Wednesday decided to reimpose a mask mandate and issue recommendations on working from home for both private and public sectors. (Xinhua/Xue Dongmei)
VILNIUS, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Amid increased COVID-19 infection rates, the Lithuanian government on Wednesday decided to reimpose a mask mandate and issue recommendations on working from home for both private and public sectors.
People are required to wear masks indoors in public spaces, including shops, public transport, schools and event venues, except for children under the age of 6, people with disabilities who cannot cover their faces, and exercising individuals. Additionally, the mask mandate will not apply to service provision when it is impossible to serve a masked customer.
The government adopted the new rules due to the spread of the Delta variant. Last week, Lithuania moved into the worst "black" zone under the nation's color-based pandemic classification system.
So far, 67.7 percent of the population in Lithuania has been vaccinated against COVID-19, but the proportion is still insufficient to contain the virus.
On Wednesday, Lithuania reported 1,847 new infections -- the highest daily record since early July, with 14 deaths in the past 24 hours. Enditem
