Skvernelis: indoor cafes and restaurants could reopen next week

Indoor cafes, restaurants and other public food serving places in Lithuania could reopen as early as May 18 if they meet the coronavirus safety requirements, Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis said on Tuesday.

"If an agreement is reached with businesses on how to ensure safety in cafes, it may happen from (May) 18," he told reporters.

Skvernelis said the Cabinet would discuss on Wednesday a further easing of the lockdown, including reopening schools and allowing public food-serving establishments to open their indoor seating areas.

"We'll see after the meeting. We've been consistently moving on the path of easing the conditions and reopening the economy," he said.

In late April, the government allowed cafes to reopen, but seating is only allowed outdoors, and customers seated at different tables must be at least two meters apart.