Lithuania to consider announcing nationwide quarantine next week

The Lithuanian government will next week consider announcing a nationwide quarantine, Health Minister Aurelijus Veryga said on Friday.

"We will submit the proposal to announce quarantine in the country when the ministers meet next week," he said.

According to Veryga, the measure will allow putting in place even more stringent measures of prevention.

"This triggers off very strict measures which give us more leeway to discipline those who refuse to self-isolate, saying 'we are not afraid of the virus'," the minister said.

The quarantine would also make it earlier to control the state's borders, he added.