IDFI: fines in Georgia for violating coronavirus restrictions are disproportionately high relative to income
IDFI says that in Germany fines for violating restrictions are defined by a person's monthly income, while in New Zealand the citizen receives only a verbal warning in case of the first violation. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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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.’
IDFI says that in Germany fines for violating restrictions are defined by a person's monthly income, while in New Zealand the citizen receives only a verbal warning in case of the first violation. Meanwhile, in Georgia individuals face a fine of 3,000 GEL ($940.4/€853.5), while legal entities will face a fine of 15,000 GEL ($4,602/€4,267.5).
The IDFI classified countries based on their strict, average and light restrictions. For that, it used The Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT), which evaluates and compares the measures taken by the governments of different countries to stop the coronavirus.
While calculating the index, they use 17 indicators, out of which eight are related to containment and closure policies (such as school closures and restrictions in movement), four are economic policy indicators (including income support to citizens or provision of foreign aid), and five are health system policy indicators (such as COVID-19 testing regime or emergency investments into healthcare).
In the report, other countries that also have strict restrictions include: Greece (monetary fines of €150-€300), Azerbaijan (monetary fines of $50-$100), New Zealand (verbal warning and then possible imprisonment), Israel (monetary fines of $140-$1,400), Italy (monetary fines of €400-€3000), Spain (monetary fines of €100-€600,000).
Countries with average restrictions are Montenegro, Austria, Dania, Belgium, Czechia, Norway, Armenia, Switzerland, while light restrictions are Finland, South Korea, Netherlands, Germany, Iceland, Taiwan, and Sweden.
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.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has delivered a report in parliament today on how the government acted during the state of emergency, saying that Georgia has already received much praise for its fight against the coronavirus and through its timely reopening of the state economy, new opportunities are likely to open up for the country. "Tomorrow, there will be absolutely new competitions and rules in the new world, where Georgia will have the opportunity to become more successful,” Gakharia said.
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.
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.
Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava said the economy is starting to reopen as the government is successfully containing the spread of the coronavirus. Minister Turnava said particular attention is now being paid to companies, which have been established by foreign investors.
Georgia plans to fine citizens for not wearing face masks in public places the amount of which is still subject to discussion as of now.
The Georgian parliament has allowed the government earlier today to impose movement, labour, migration, economic and other restrictions without the declaration of a state of emergency, that is, without the approval of the legislative body. A bill passed in May 2020 allowed the government to use the right only temporarily up until July 15, 2020. 76 MPs voted for the change and two went against it, with the United National Movement and the European Georgia opposition parties refusing to vote at all.
Georgia has reported just two new cases of the coronavirus earlier today, bringing the total number of cases to 1,006. 883 of the 1,006 patients have recovered, while 15 others have died. As of today 108 people remain infected with COVID-19 in Georgia. Georgia reported its first case of the coronavirus on February 26, 2020. Since then more than 156,000 people have been tested for the coronavirus inside the country. Georgia will open borders unconditionally for Germany, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia starting August.
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.
Over 31,000 facilities have been inspected and 27 fined for violating coronavirus safety regulations between November 28 and December 13 across the country, the Labor Conditions Inspecting Department reports.