"Possible restrictions on shopping centers were discussed and it was decided to demand that businesses ensure that people do not crowd there," Veryga said at a news conference after a meeting of the government's COVID-19 crisis management committee.
This week, the authorities will monitor the situation in shopping centers to see if they comply with the requirement to ensure a space of at least 10 square meters per client, according to the minister.
"We'll be watching the situation this week, and if it does not change, the government is inclined to decide on restrictions on supermarket chains, as has been done in Latvia," he added.
The media have reported that shopper flows in large shopping centers in Vilnius have been significantly higher on recent weekends than before the second lockdown, making it impossible to ensure the required distances.
After Latvia declared a state of emergency in early November, only grocery and pet stores, pharmacies, bookstores, newsstands, optical stores, hygiene goods and household stores, and telecoms stores are allowed to open in shopping centers on weekends and during public holidays.