State of emergency, curfew end, some restrictions remain in Georgia
Yesterday, the ruling party legislators passed a bill allowing the government to impose movement, labour, migration, economic and other restrictions without the declaration of the state of emergency temporarily, until July 15. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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The 63-day state of emergency has come to an end at 00:00 on May 23, lifting movement and other coronavirus-related restrictions in Georgia.
However, the restriction banning more than three people in a car will be maintained for taxis. No public and municipal transport will be available at this point.
- Georgia declares state of emergency until April 21
- Parliament approves extension of state of emergency in Georgia until May 22
Yesterday, the ruling party legislators passed a bill allowing the government to impose movement, labour, migration, economic and other restrictions without the declaration of the state of emergency temporarily, until July 15.
These restrictions, the government says, aim to minimise the spread of the virus after the end of the state of emergency. However, the parliamentary opposition, which boycotted the vote, does not agree.
Georgia first declared the state of emergency on March 21 to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The regulations that remain in place include the use of face masks, maintaining social distancing, and bans on gatherings of more than 10 including for birthdays, weddings and funerals.
Cafes, bars and restaurants will still offer 'take away' services, while shoes and clothes can be purchased online only.
Shopping malls are not also reopening yet, but some of the agrarian markets have resumed functioning in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi and regions.
The date when restrictions on public transport services will be removed remains unknown as it depends on the epidemiological situation in the country. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Although restrictions have been lifted in the quarantined Bolnisi Municipality in eastern Georgia, two of its villages - Mushevani and Geta - remain under the lockdown.
The municipality of Tetritskaro in Kvemo Kartli will also remain in quarantine.
As of now, Georgia has a total of 723 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 495 recoveries and 12 deaths.
No new cases have been reported since yesterday morning.
The Georgian parliament has passed a bill with its third and final reading earlier today which allows the government to impose movement, labour, migration, economic and other restrictions without the declaration of the state of emergency. 94 MPs in the 150-member parliament voted for the bill, no one was against. The opposition boycotted the vote.
The two-month state of emergency as well as curfew will end in Georgia at 00:00 on May 23, lifting movement and other, coronavirus-related restrictions in Georgia. "The restriction which banned more than three people in a car will only be maintained for taxis. Restrictions for public and municipal transport, at the border and for certain economic activities, will remain in force,” Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia says.
Air pollution has decreased in the capital city of Tbilisi as well as in the whole country, announces the National Environment Agency of Georgia. The agency reported that the content of nitrogen dioxide in the air quality was particularly reduced on the streets where traffic was intense, including the avenues of Tsereteli and Kazbegi.
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.
Two people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Georgia increasing the total number of cases to 730 in the country. Meanwhile, 13 infected individuals have recovered bringing the total recoveries to 522.
Fines imposed for violating the restrictions implemented by Georgia for the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus exceeds the income ratio imposed by Western European, Scandinavian and other developed countries and are disproportionately high relative to the income of the Georgian population, says the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information( IDFI) in its report ‘Measures against Covid-19 - International Practice.’
8,716 individuals and 21 companies were fined for violating the coronavirus-related restrictions between March 21 and May 22, the Georgian Interior Ministry reports.
Starting today, the ban on travelling by taxi with more than two people has been lifted, announces the government of Georgia. However, both driver and passengers must wear a facemask while travelling by taxi.