Gov't outlines 6-phase plan to reopen the Georgian economy

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.

The government of Georgia has presented an anti-crisis plan for Georgian businesses in order to ease the burden caused by the coronavirus crisis. The government responded to the demand of the hotels, restaurants, tourist agencies and tour operators in Georgia and decided to postpone payment of property and income tax by four months.

Seven infected individuals have recuperated from the coronavirus in Georgia increasing the total number of recoveries to 139. Earlier today, doctors held a meeting at the First University Clinic in Tbilisi to exchange experience in fight against the coronavirus. 

Georgia has reported 25 new cases of coronavirus increasing the total number of cases to 456. The medical director of Tbilisi Infectious Disease Hospital Marina Ezugbaia told journalists that the high number of new cases was the result of ‘aggressive testing’ which was carried out throughout the country yesterday.

Georgia will spend 3.5 billion (about $1.10b/€1.02b) on its coronavirus anti-crisis plan, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia announced earlier today. "For now, the country will spend GEL 3.5 billion on managing the crisis, of which 1.035 billion GEL will be directed at social support of citizens, 2.11 billion GEL will be directed at the economy and entrepreneurs, while 350 million GEL will be spent on the health care of each citizen", Gakharia said.

A number of opposition parties have slammed the Georgian government’s recently announced anti-crisis plan aimed to counter the coronavirus pandemic. On Friday, Georgian government introduced a plan to gradually open the economy step-by-step over the next three months. The plan includes supporting business owners, commercial banks, agriculture and economic of the country during the crisis.

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. 

The police have fined 5,639 citizens for violating state of emergency regulations as a result of which 17,025,000 GEL ($5,313,007/€4,893,648) has been accumulated since March 31.

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia announced earlier today how the government intends to help businesses and agriculture during the COVID-19 crisis. 

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is helping the government of Georgia develop a post-coronavirus recovery plan that focuses on increased employment opportunities, announces the United States Embassy in Georgia.

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 Economy Minister Natia Turnava held a presentation today on how the government is planning to help local businesses and especially small and medium-sized businesses reopen and overcome economic difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Head of the government administration Natia Mezvrishvili said some coronavirus-related restrictions imposed in Georgia may be eased earlier than planned, if the virus is contained. Moreover, the government will be discussing the issue of reopening Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi and Batumi next week, which have been on lockdown since April 15.

Georgia continues to lift coronavirus-related restrictions. Starting tomorrow construction and auto repair businesses will be able to resume operations, announced Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia today.

The government of Georgia is working to develop a strategic plan for the revival of the tourism sector: the worst affected of all the country’s major economic sectors by the coronavirus pandemic in Georgia. The goal is to make Georgia one of the first countries able to open its doors to foreign tourists after months of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In May several coronavirus-related restrictions will be resumed in Georgia, announced Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia today. The plan includes resuming all manufacturing, several categories of retail and wholesale stores and opening the capital city of Tbilisi and smaller towns of Rustavi, Gardabani and Marneuli.

Beauty salons and aesthetic medicine centres will open in Georgia on May 18, said Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia at a government meeting earlier today. 

Georgian will lift restrictions limiting the size of group gatherings to three on May 18, said Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia at a government meeting earlier today. 

Dental clinics will resume scheduled services starting tomorrow. Out of 279, 191 of them have already been checked, and 164 of them have been found to be in compliance with the recommendations of the Health Ministry and are ready to operate starting tomorrow.

Restaurants, shopping malls and public transport will soon resume work in Georgia, announces the Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia. He said that the spread of the coronavirus is under control in Georgia and now is the time to strengthen the economy. Starting June 1 all types of produce markets, stores, shopping malls, restaurants with outdoor seating areas will reopen. 

Georgia has reported three new cases of the coronavirus earlier today, bringing the total number of cases to 738. 573 of the 738 patients have recovered, while 12 others have died. As of today, 153 people remain infected with COVID-19 in the country, with Georgia maintaining a low infection rate. 

The Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia has presented a fourth anti-crisis plan today worth 434 million GEL aimed at supporting the construction and development sector of Georgia. He said that the construction and development sector was one of the fastest growing sectors which employed 120,000 people in 2019. 

ADB Country Director for Georgia Shane Rosenthal has praised Georgia's response to the coronavirus pandemic, noting its low infection rate in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

S&P said the ratings are supported by Georgia's ‘relatively strong institutional arrangements when compared regionally; its floating exchange rate regime; and the availability of timely, concessional financing from IFIs under extenuating circumstances’.

The government of Georgia has decided to reduce the cost of a first year permit fee to operate a casino in the capital city of Tbilisi from 5 million GEL to 2.5 million GEL. The decision will apply to permits that will be issued from July 5, 2021 to January 1, 2022.