Produce markets temporarily closed in Tbilisi amid coronavirus outbreak
Meanwhile yesterday produce markets were closed in the towns of Senaki and Zugdidi in Samegrelo region of Georgia as "they failed to follow the recommendations". Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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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 decision was made by the Inter-agency Coordination Council, established and headed by the Prime Minister of Georgia in curbing the spread of COVID-19.
Meanwhile yesterday produce markets were closed in the towns of Senaki and Zugdidi in Samegrelo region of Georgia as "they failed to follow the recommendations".
Georgian Agriculture Minister Levan Davitashvili said there was a high risk of the coronavirus spreading at produce markets and thus it was necessary to close them.
He said that the National Food Agency of Georgia created recommendations for produce markets and if they are met they will be able to continue to operate.
The recommendations include:
- Provision of special protective equipment for sales staff
- Strict adherence to hygienic and sanitary conditions
- Daily disinfection
- Identifying and registering each sales staff member (including information about with with whom they had contact during the last 14 days)
- Citizens above 70 years not to be allowed in the markets
- Ensuring distance between trade counters
In the meantime the government is offering an ‘organised platform’ to farmers to sell their products and Davitashvili said it is a wholesale trading network, JIBE Cash & Carry, that provides service to legal and private customers.
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).
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.
Georgia has reported a third coronavirus-related death today out of the 195 confirmed cases since February 26. Head of Tbilisi Infectious Disease Hospital Tengiz Tsertsvadze said a woman, 86, suffered from the most severe form of pneumonia.
Out of the 80 open air produce markets registered in Georgia, most of them are not observing hygiene requirements, so we should not think that all markets will start working today, said Agriculture Minister Levan Davitashvili.
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.
Twenty-four open air produce markets have already opened in Georgia as of today as a result of Georgia’s first stage of a plan to gradually lift coronavirus-related restrictions, including allowing open air food markets to resume operations after they had been closed to prevent the further spread of the new coronavirus in the country.
Georgian police have been introduced to produce markets in the country to ensure individuals abide by coronavirus guidelines and regulations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.