Online shopping services may continue if safety standards met
If other companies can show that their operations meet safety standards they will also be able to continue providing online shopping services. Photo: Begenkishop.
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Online shopping for all items except food and medical supplies has been suspended in Georgia until April 21 - the date until when the state of emergency is in force - in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the country.
If other companies can show that their operations meet safety standards they will also be able to continue providing online shopping services.
Any company caught violating this rule will be fined 15,000 GEL (about $4,566/€4,181).
The Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia said on Imedi TV’s Imedis Kvira that the provision of "elementary safety conditions" is critically important in the field of service as there are "too many people" involved in this sphere who are in contact with clients, "with our citizens".
I personally guarantee that all companies that comply with these [safety] conditions will be granted permission to continue such activities in the coming days. Generally, we are talking about strict quarantine for a limited period. We all understand very well that our financial reserves are not large. Unfortunately we are not neither Britain nor Germany to be able to finance our citizens sitting at home for months. All of us together, no matter how challenging this situation is, will have to start work and this period will come very soon", Gakharia said.
Gakharia added that the basic principle of the government is minimal damage to the economy.
Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava said that "very soon we will establish specific rules and considerations" to determine what businesses can engage in e-commerce.
Despite the state of emergency and a nationwide curfew that aim to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Georgia, there are 18 economic activities that still continue in the country. The government of Georgia is authorised to additionally specify a list of those economic activities that are not restricted and whose operation is necessary during an emergency.
Starting today currency exchange booths and other financial organisations have temporarily stopped functioning today in Georgia with an aim towards reducing the spread of the coronavirus in the country, announces the National Bank of Georgia (NBG).
Tougher restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19 go into force today, including a nationwide curfew that will be in effect from 21:00 – 06:00. Public transport has also been suspended, and the public cannot gather in groups of more than three people. The measures will be in place until at least April 21. Georgia has had 110 confirmed cases of the virus starting from February 26, 2020.
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.
Georgian Agriculture Minister Levan Davitashvili says that food supplies are regularly monitored and "we have an encouraging situation". He said that there is also enough wheat supply in Georgia and if necessary the country will fill the supplies "from alternative sources and geographical areas".
All produce markets have been temporarily closed in the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi starting today in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the country.
The Georgian Ministry of Economy has begun inspecting companies which want to continue offering e-commerce services after they were suspended in the country due to the state of emergency in the country to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Economy Minister Natia Turnava has announced.
Online businesses will be inspected next week to check for compliance with the recommendations of the Health Ministry in order to receive permission to begin working again safely, Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava said earlier today.
About 50 different factories and businesses will undergo inspections daily in Georgia to check whether they are properly implementing the recommendations as regards the health and safety of employees amid the coronavirus outbreak, announces the Economy Minister of Georgia Natia Turnava.
The Georgian e-commerce market is growing as Covid-19 lockdowns have encouraged many to purchase online for the first time or increase the frequency of online purchases, while Georgian companies were forced to expand their online offerings, says Galt & Taggart in its latest report 'E-Commerce In Georgia'.