What coronavirus restrictions will be lifted in Georgia in May?

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. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

Agenda.ge, 07 May 2020 - 15:59, Tbilisi,Georgia

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.

The next phase of the opening of economy will start on May 11 and the following restrictions are planned to be lifted:

  • Entry and exit in Tbilisi will be allowed
  • All kinds of manufacturing will be resumed
  • Retail and wholesale stores, except for clothing and footwear stores and except shopping malls, that have outdoor entrances will be opened

May 14 

  • Travel restriction will be lifted in Rustavi and Gardabani

May 18

  • Travel restriction will be lifted in Marneuli

Gakharia said that despite lifting several restrictions the nationwide curfew between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. will remain in force.

The government imposed restrictions on entering and leaving the four largest cities of Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi and Rustavi on April 15. Travel restrictions in Batumi and Rustavi were lifted from May 5.

Georgia began the first phase of a plan to gradually lift coronavirus-related restrictions on April 27, allowing private vehicles and taxis back out onto the roads, and e-commerce (wholesale and retail), delivery services and open air markets to resume operations. 

During the second phase that started on May 5 construction, construction supervision, manufacture of building materials, car repair and auto-service facilities were allowed in the country.

All businesses regardless of category will have to abide by hygiene standards set by the Ministry of Health, including maintains social distancing measures, wearing a mask in closed commercial and other spaces, 

Gakharia said that if the pandemic situation worsens the restrictions may be reimplemented. 

Gakharia also announced that in 10 days the government will present post-crisis plans for agriculture, construction and education fields of Georgia.

Click to see the government's anti-crisis economy plan in detail.