Several coronavirus restrictions meant to be temporarily lifted this week to remain in force
The Georgian government says that lifting several restrictions may cause a further increase in new infections. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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The government of Georgia says that several coronavirus restrictions which were scheduled to be lifted between December 24 and January 2 will not take place to preserve a ‘positive dynamic’ in curbing the spread of the virus.
The government says that the restrictions imposed since November 28 have made the situation stable.
However, the rate of daily infections is still high and lifting the restrictions as was previously scheduled may have a negative influence on the general situation,” said the government.
Per the government decision:
- Municipal transport in Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Gori, Zugdidi, Poti and Telavi will not work until January 31, 2021, nor will intercity transport.
- Open markets will not open until January 31, 2021 (only agrarian markets will work).
- Shopping centres, however, will be open between December 24 and January 2.
An effective curfew will be temporarily lifted on December 31 and January 6 (for New Year and Christmas). Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Additional restrictions will be imposed:
- shops will work between 07:00:19:00
- only one customer per every 20 square meters of space in a store will be allowed in
- store administration must allow the management of queues both outside and inside the shops
- sales must be announced in the morning or for items available via online shopping only
- the return or exchange of items will be available for one month
- Food facilities will not be able to work in shopping malls, not even for takeaway service.
- Restaurants in hotels will work until 21:00 (between December 24 and January 2). After 21:00 only room service will be available (to prevent the conduct of New Year events, concerts).
- Restaurants and food facilities will continue only takeaway services.
- An effective curfew will be in force between the hours of 21:00 and 05:00. The restriction will be temporarily lifted on December 31 and January 6 (for New Year and Christmas).
Travel by car and taxi will not be restricted around the country, taking curfew into account.
The United States government has donated 26,000 PCR testing kits to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) through USAID, to help Georgian medical professionals manage the coronavirus pandemic.
Georgia reported 5,068 new cases of coronavirus earlier today: a record-high figure since the country confirmed its first case of the virus on February 26, 2020.Earlier this week the government announced large-scale testing of the public, about 20,000 individuals on a daily basis, to reveal new infections in a timely fashion and prevent the further spread of the virus. The process will continue until February 1, 2021. Georgia has had 152,704 cases of coronavirus since February.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia says that the government-imposed coronavirus restrictions until January 31 aim to ensure a normal way of living starting February 1.
The government of Georgia has imposed further restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the country. The restrictions that will be in effect between November 28 and January 31 are as follows: An effective curfew will be in force between the hours of 21:00 and 05:00. The restriction will be temporarily lifted on December 31 and January 6 (for New Year and Christmas). Restaurants and other food facilities will fully move to takeaway services which includes takeaway, delivery and drive.
Shopping centres will open their doors between December 24 and January 2 from 7 am to 7 pm.
Restaurants in Georgia will have to open their doors starting on January 15 or face a risk of permanent closure, Georgian Restaurateurs Association founder Shota Burjanadze said at a press briefing on Wednesday in comments on the current governmental restrictions on the venues.
Georgia has reported 1,972 new cases, 2,737 recoveries and 43 deaths in the past 24 hours.13,699 tests have been conducted in the past 24 hours around the country. 7,146 of the 13,699 tests were rapid tests, while the remaining 6,553 were PCR tests. Georgia has had 216,843 cases of coronavirus since February. 194,705 of the 216,843 individuals have recovered, while 2,776 others have died. 19,836 individuals remain infected with Covid-19 in Georgia as of today.
Restrictions on movement will be lifted as an exception from 21:00 to 05:00 on New Year’s night, Infrastructure Minister Maia Tskitishvili said earlier today. "Restrictions on movement from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. will remain in force (afterwards). New Year and Christmas nights will be an exception”, said Tskhitishvili. Maia Tskitishvili has called on the public to celebrate New Year’s in a small family circle in order to prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19.