Reopening the economy: construction, auto repair companies resume operations starting May 5

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. 

Georgia has begun the first stage of a plan to gradually lift coronavirus-related restrictions today, allowing private vehicles and taxis back out onto the roads, and allowing e-commerce (wholesale and retail), delivery services and open air markets to resume operations. 

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.

The cities of Batumi and Kutaisi, which were put on lockdown on April 15 to contain the spread of COVID-19, will reopen tomorrow, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated earlier today. Tbilisi and Rustavi will remain on lockdown for some time, Gakharia said, adding that the restrictions may be lifted by the end of the week. Lifting the restrictions for Batumi and Kutaisi means that vehicles will be allowed to leave or enter the cities. However, the nationwide curfew between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. remains in force.

Georgia has reported 11 new cases of coronavirus earlier today, bringing the total number of cases to 604. 240 of the 604 patients have recovered, while nine others have died. As of today 353 people remain infected with COVID-19 in Georgia. 4,887 people are under quarantine and 500 others are in hospitals around the country. The cities of Batumi and Kutaisi, which were put on lockdown on April 15 to contain the spread of COVID-19, have reopened earlier today.

A COVID-19 patient in Georgia, who was one of the five individuals to test positive for the virus in Georgia, has recovered after being treated in hospital for two months. Director of Tbilisi Hospital of Infectious Diseases Marina Ezugbaia said that the patient, who was placed in hospital on March 5, felt good after several weeks of treatment. However, the individual continued to test positive for the virus. 

Public service halls and  community centres will resume work starting tomorrow throughout Georgia. Individuals who want to receive service, should book  a visit time on the website www.mygov.ge. Georgian Justice Minister said that underage individuals will not be allowed to enter community centres and public service halls throughout the country.

More people have recovered than were infected with COVID-19 in Georgia over the past several days. Georgia has reported six new cases of coronavirus earlier today, bringing the total number of cases to 610. 269 of the 610 patients have recovered, while nine others have died. As of today 330 people remain infected with coronavirus in Georgia, while the number stood at 353 yesterday. Head of the National Disease Control Centre of Georgia Amiran Gamkrelidze says that Georgia is hitting the seventh week since the first reported case of community transmission of the virus on March 23.

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.

Georgia is setting the goal of becoming the first country to open its doors to foreign tourists starting July 1 after months of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic and to welcome international travellers with a new image - 'Georgia - Safe Destination!'. Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava said that Georgia will be promoted as a safe destination for international travellers, as an internationally acclaimed and successful country in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava held a presentation today on how the government is planning to help the tourism industry reopen and overcome challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Tbilisi, which has been on coronavirus lockdown since April 15, will reopen on Monday, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has stated. Retail and wholesale stores, except for clothing and footwear stores and except shopping malls, that have outdoor entrances will be opened.

Hospitals will soon resume planned surgeries, as the risk of the coronavirus spreading has been reduced in Georgia Deputy Health Minister Tamar Gabunia stated 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. 

All kinds of shops, including shopping malls, open and closed produce markets and restaurants with outdoor seating areas have resumed work in Georgia today.

Currency exchange booths will reopen on June 8, reports local media outlet Netgazeti, citing member of the association of currency exchange booths Vakhtang Grigalashvili. 

Georgia has reported four new cases of the coronavirus earlier today, bringing the total number of cases to 800. 640 of the 800 patients have recovered, while 13 others have died. The 13th individual, who was 76 years old and suffered serious, underlying health issues, died earlier today. He was from the Mushevani village of Bolnisi municipality.