Skvernelis calls for 2-week 'pause' in public life

"We still have a unique opportunity to try to do it and use the (next) two weeks for such a pause," Skvernelis told reporters.

On Wednesday, the government will discuss a proposal to extend the autumn break at schools, scheduled for next week, for another week, he said.

The prime minister was cautious while speaking about other nationwide restrictions and a local quarantine in individual municipalities, saying that following the existing recommendations should suffice.

"I still believe that the existing measures, the insistent recommendations are sufficient to get the situation under control," Skvernelis said. "We are not in a situation where we need to think about other (stricter) measures."

"If we limit our public social life, keep our distance, wear masks and avoid non-essential events, these two weeks will serve as an impetus to stabilize the situation," he added.

Health Minister Aurelijus Veryga confirmed that the government is planning to review this week the rules for organizing events, but did not specify what measures are being considered.

The prime minister said he hopes that the government will not have to place individual municipalities under quarantine unless they ask for it.

"There'll be very clear recommendations in place. If these recommendations aren't followed, the law provides for declaring a local quarantine in more than one municipality even if the municipality doesn't agree, but I hope that won't be needed," he said.

Municipalities will be grouped into three zones based on their coronavirus infection risk levels, he said.