Gov't may lift coronavirus-related restrictions earlier if virus contained
Next week the government will be discussing the issue of reopening the four cities of Georgia - Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi and Batumi - which have been on lockdown since April 15. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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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.
Mezvrishvili noted that although the recently introduced 6-phase plan considers lifting the restrictions step-by-step, it might be possible to move from one phase to another earlier if citizens follow all of the recommendations of healthcare officials precisely.
Primarily, this means maintaining social distance, wearing face masks and [observing] other state of emergency restrictions", Mezvrishvili stated.
She also added that some of the restrictions can be reintroduced even after being lifted in certain areas, whenever necessary.
Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Speaking with Imedi TV today, Mezvrishvili again noted that public transport and international flights will not be restored yet.
However, she said, next week the government will be discussing the issue of reopening the four cities of Georgia - Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi and Batumi - which have been on lockdown since April 15.
As of now, residents of Tbilisi are only allowed to leave the capital for agricultural works between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. and return between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. after they apply to the Agriculture Ministry for special permit.
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.
The Georgian government has presented a plan to gradually open the economy step-by-step over the next three months. Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said that restrictions on economic activity will begin being lifted starting April 27 and if the coronavirus situation does not worsen in the country in three months Georgian the economy will be fully reopened.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia announced earlier today how the government intends to help businesses and agriculture during the COVID-19 crisis.
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.
Georgia has seven new cases of coronavirus increasing the total number of cases to 589. Meanwhile, the number of recoveries has increased to 215 as eight infected individuals have recovered. As of now, there are 364 infected individuals in Georgia; eight people have died.
Georgia has reported a ninth coronavirus-related death today. A 58-year-old woman with several underlying conditions has passed away from coronavirus infection at First University Clinic in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi earlier today.
Georgia reported four new cases of coronavirus earlier today, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 593. 223 of the 593 patients have recovered, while nine others have died. As of today 359 people remain infected with COVID-19 in Georgia. 5,028 individuals are under quarantine and 537 others in hospitals. Head of the government administration Natia Mezvrishvili said on May 2 that coronavirus-related