Gov’t says Easter service will be held with police supervision, but parish asked to stay home
Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s spokesperson Irakli Chikovani announced at a late night news briefing today that churches will remain open, but maintain social distancing to protect the health and lives of the worshippers. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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The Georgian government and the patriarchate have reached a long-awaited deal that the traditional Easter service on Saturday night will be held with police supervision despite the curfew.
However, the Georgian government calls on worshippers to stay home and follow the state of emergency regulations amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s spokesperson Irakli Chikovani announced at a late night news briefing today that churches will remain open, but maintain social distancing "to protect the health and lives" of the worshippers.
Chikovani said the churches will observe all the safety norms established by the Healthcare Ministry and the National Disease Control Centre.
He said, in large churches, a social distance of at least 2 meters will be maintained, while in small churches, only clergymen will hold the service without worshippers.
Palm Sunday service in Tbilisi on April 12, 2020. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Chikovani announced that during ten days from April 17, restrictions will be imposed on visiting cemeteries in cities throughout the country.
Meanwhile, spokesperson of the patriarchate Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze told journalists after Chikovani’s briefing that the worshippers will go to churches until 9 p.m. and will stay there until 6 a.m. not to violate the curfew regulations.
This, Jaghmaidze said, would give them an opportunity to “fully engage” in the Easter service.
At the same time he recommended "risk groups", including people with certain diseases or symptoms of virus as well as children, or those who have such family members, to stay home and reveal “civic responsibility”.
Jaghmaidze also added that large churches will follow all of the recommendations and maintain a 2-meter social distance, while in small churches worshippers will stay outside.
Two more people have recuperated from coronavirus in Georgia increasing the total number of recoveries to 71. The country has confirmed a total of 306 cases of COVID-19 since February 26, including 230 active cases of the virus and three deaths.
Every year on the day after Orthodox Easter, Georgians visit the graves of their loved ones, bringing with them Easter eggs painted red, traditional pastries and wine to commemorate those who have passed.
Starting 9 p.m. today the four main cities of Georgia - Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi and Rustavi - will be placed under lockdown, preventing people from leaving or entering the cities for ten days at least. Coronavirus cases stand at 306 in Georgia as of today. 69 of the 306 people have recovered, while three other patients, elderly people with several underlying illnesses, have died.
Starting tomorrow at 9 p.m. people will not be able to enter or leave the four main cities of Georgia - Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi and Rustavi for 10 days at least and the state of emergency will be prolonged until May 10 to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated earlier today at a special briefing. He said that people inside the four main cities will be able to use their vehicles per the state of emergency restrictions.
Georgia has reported 30 new cases of the coronavirus earlier today, bringing the total number of cases to 336. 74 of the 336 patients have recovered, while three others have died. As of today Georgia has 257 active cases of the virus. 5,000 people are under quarantine in Georgia and 494 others are in hospitals. The four main cities of Georgia - Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi and Rustavi - have been put under lockdown for at least ten days starting April 15.
If people don’t stay home, the collapse of the healthcare system will be inevitable in Georgia, the Head of the Georgian National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Amiran Gamkrelidze said in an interview with Rustavi 2 earlier today.
Sheikh Mirtag Asadov, the chairman of the Supreme Religious Administration of Georgia's All Muslims and three other founders of the religious organisation have been summoned to the State Security Service of Georgia, reports the Human Rights and Monitoring Center (EMC).
Two more people have recuperated from coronavirus in Georgia increasing the total number of recoveries to 76. Meanwhile, twelve individuals have tested positive on COVID-19 today, increasing the number of total confirmed cases to 348.
Starting 12 p.m. on April 17, all private vehicle traffic will be banned throughout the country until the end of the state of emergency. Prime Minister’s spokesperson Irakli Chikovani announced that despite “the strict recommendations” from healthcare officials to stay home, there is still much movement on the streets.
The Georgian government and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have urged people to stay home during the Easter holidays, though the Georgian Patriarchate and several members of the clergy have different views on the issue and have called on worshippers to attend the Easter service in churches on April 19.
The number of total confirmed cases of coronavirus has increased to 385 in Georgia, including 84 recoveries and three deaths. As on now, some other 4,971 individuals remain in quarantine and 519 more are under medical observation at hospitals due to possible contact with the infected individuals.
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”.
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.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has praised the Georgian people for exhibiting a high sense of social responsibility on the Easter holiday yesterday.“The Georgian people have managed to both show a high sense of social responsibility and remain devoted to their faith and the church. This day once again assured us that through standing together, we will achieve the final victory,” Gakharia said.