Government confirms vehicle restrictions in force until Wednesday, could be extended
Private vehicle use has been under restriction across Georgia since Friday. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.
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The Georgian government has confirmed its restrictions on private vehicle use across the country will be enforced until Wednesday and could be extended.
Local reporters were told by press office of the government administration its ban on vehicles - in force since Friday - would be continued to be overseen over the next few days.
A decision on extending or removing the restriction beyond Tuesday will be made tomorrow, the press office also said.
The ban involves restriction on all types of personal use of vehicles, with exceptions granted for medical emergency, workplace use of vehicles and for citizens with relevant permits from ministries administering their fields of employment.
Taxis are included in the restriction, however motorcycle and bicycle use is not limited.
The number of coronavirus cases stands at 399 in Georgia as of April 20. 93 of the 399 individuals have recovered, while four other people have died. As of today 300 people remain infected with COVID-19 in the country.5,094 individuals inside the country are in quarantine, while 547 others are in hospitals.More than 2.4 million people have been infected with the virus worldwide as of April 19. 165,105 people have died of the virus, while close to 630,000 have recovered.
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.
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.
Head of the Georgian National Centre for Disease Control Amiran Gamkrelidze has again called on the citizens to stay home, avoid public gatherings and maintain social distancing to avoid the further spread of the virus amid the upcoming religious celebrations.
The number of coronavirus cases stands at 408 in Georgia as of April 21. 95 of the 408 individuals have recovered, while four people have died. As of today 307 people remain infected with the coronavirus in the country.4,816 individuals inside the country are in quarantine, while 571 others are in hospitals.Head of the National Disease Control Centre Amiran Gamkrelidze says that April and the first two weeks of May will be particularly complicated for Georgia in the fight against the coronavirus.
The state of emergency is likely to be extended in Georgia until May 22, while the restrictions on the private car use, which entered into force on April 17, will be maintained through April 26. The government has already appealed to the president regarding the extension of the state of emergency which was declared on March 21. 'The restrictions on the private vehicle use around the country will be gradually lifted starting April 27,” the PM’s Spokesman Irakli Chikovani said earlier today.
The Mayor of Tbilisi Kakha Kaladze has initiated to prohibit driving private vehicles on weekends. He said that only public transport, including Metro and buses may be authorized to operate.