Tbilisi Mayor Kaladze initiates to prohibit driving private vehicles on weekends
The restrictions on the private car use, which entered into force on April 17, will be maintained through April 26. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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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.
As you know, there are automatic stations in the city which monitor the atmospheric air quality across Tbilisi. The results show that as of March 2020, the level of nitrogen dioxide in the air has decreased compared to the same month of 2019”, said Kaladze.
Visitors can choose a city/town, the pollutant type and time period, and then generate and download a respective report. Healthcare and air protection recommendations are also available on the website. Photo: Screenshot from air.gov.ge.
As the Mayor noted, the restrictions on driving imposed under the state of emergency resulted in a positive effect on reducing air pollution in Tbilisi.
Kaladze also mentioned that the idea needs to be refined and, initially, he is interested in the opinion of the citizens regarding the initiative.
The restrictions on the private car use, which entered into force on April 17, will be maintained through April 26.
The restrictions will be gradually lifted starting April 27.
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 Georgian government has confirmed its restrictions on private vehicle use across the country will be enforced until Wednesday and could be extended.
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.
Georgia is improving air quality monitoring to ensure that air quality throughout the country meets European standards.
The Georgian government has announced a two-day easing off of restrictions on vehicle traffic between major cities and the rest of the country to allow citizens to return to their homes following Easter celebrations.
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has denied attacking civic activists in Varketili district yesterday, instead saying they tried to 'stage a provocation'. However, the activists said they wanted to ask Mayor Kaladze a question yesterday, when the latter assaulted them verbally and physically.
Vehicle customs clearance fees will be postponed until March 2021, said Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia earlier today, noting that 24,000 car owners will benefit from this postponement.