Amnesty International: Georgia enacted necessary anti-coronavirus measures, but churches remain open
Amnesty International has released its study on how the Eastern European and Central Asian countries responded to the coronavirus. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Amnesty International says in its most recent study that Georgia enacted necessary state of emergency measures on April 21. However, it says that concerns were raised that certain anti-Covid-19 measures were applied ‘in a discriminatory fashion.’
Contrary to medical advice, religious gatherings have not been restricted by law largely to ensure that the Georgian Orthodox Church could conduct liturgies for Orthodox Easter. During Palm Sunday and Easter celebrations on 12 April and 19 April in Georgia, several Orthodox churches hosted dozens of worshippers. All other religious groups in Georgia have voluntarily agreed to close their places of worship to the public,” said the study.
The study also said that some governments in the region are introducing measures to protect the most vulnerable.
Worshippers at large churches had to maintain a 2-meter social distance, while in small churches worshippers had to stay outside during the service. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
On 14 April the Prime Minister of Georgia declared that the government plans to give out unemployment benefits to those who lost jobs due to COVID-19, and the ensuing restrictions. The government also announced that it will cover payments for gas, electricity and water bills for those who consume less than 200 kw of electricity and 200 cubic meters of natural gas during the state of emergency months,” Amnesty International said.
Only clerics were allowed in small churches of Georgia during the Easter holiday, while parishioners were allowed in large churches to stand in a two-meter distance from one another.
Cemeteries still remain closed around the country.
Georgia has had no serious increase in coronavirus cases following the holiday.
Georgia declares a state of emergency to prevent the spread of the coronavirus until April 21. Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said at a news briefing today that no more than ten people will be allowed to gather during this time.
Georgia has reported 6 new cases of the coronavirus earlier today, bringing the total number of cases to 517. Two of the six new patients do not know how they contracted the virus.. 168 of the 517 people have recovered, while six others have died. As of today 341 people remain infected with COVID-19 in Georgia. 5,153 people are under quarantine and 549 others in hospitals.
Orthodox Christians in Georgia are celebrating one of the most significant dates in the religious calendar, Easter. The liturgy started around 11 p.m. last night at Trinity Cathedral in Georgian capital of Tbilisi and some other churches throughout the country but few worshippers attended the service amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The UN said Easter “is a very special occasion for Georgia, when many families come together and share a heartwarming celebration”, however, “the community spirit at the heart of Easter includes a sense of responsibility to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19”.
Ten more individuals have recovered from coronavirus Georgia increasing the total number of recoveries to 178. As of now, Georgia has confirmed a total of 517 coronavirus cases. Six people have died of coronavirus-related complications, while 331 remain infected.
Pope Francis spoke with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili by phone and said he will pray for Georgia on May 14 in his prayer to save the word from the pandemic and named Georgia as a country with ‘great spirituality’ adding that the Georgian nation is ‘precious’ to him.