Lithuanian authorities have closed the border with Belarus for a month due to security threats posed by air attacks by balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes, Euronews reports.
The Šalčinka border crossing will be closed completely, while Medininka will remain closed with some exceptions.
“Diplomats, transit passengers from Kaliningrad, citizens returning to Lithuania, citizens of the European Union, NATO countries and their family members will be allowed to pass through this crossing. Persons with a Lithuanian residence permit will also be able to obtain humanitarian visas, the decision on which will be made by the State Border Guard Service,” Lithuanian Interior Minister Vladislavas Kondratovičius said at a government meeting.
Lithuanian authorities made this decision due to smuggled balloons entering Lithuania from Belarus, which is leading to restrictions on airport operations.