“As far as the lockdown is concerned, there are no plans to lift it completely thus far. I think the government will discuss further terms on Wednesday,” he said at a news conference on Monday.
Asked about the potential period of lockdown extension, Veryga answered that “the extension will be traditional – for two weeks”.
The minister noted that there were no reasons to fear the extension of the lockdown in particular as people were allowed access to the increasing number of public life and entertainment spaces whereas restrictions would be further eased gradually.
The lockdown was a necessary measure to contain the virus, “which has until now been done successfully”, the minister said.
Veryga admitted that the restrictions might be tightened if the coronavirus were to start spreading once again.
“If we call it [the lockdown] off, we will no longer have all those tools and will simply be unable to either adopt or comply with many measures. Hence I think that the lockdown will continue,” the minister said.
The nationwide lockdown was imposed on March 16 and was last extended until May 11.