Gov’t to add buses in Tbilisi as marshutkas are temporarily banned
Only public transport will serve passengers in Tbilisi starting today. Photo: Tbilisi Transport Company.
Tweet 
Share
Tbilisi City Hall will allocate additional buses for busy routes in Tbilisi as mini buses, so-called marshrutkas, have been temporarily banned from serving passengers starting today to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, Georgian Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze stated earlier today.
The statement comes after complaints on social media that banning marshrutkas made buses overcrowded.
Starting today marshrutkas will not serve passengers in Tbilisi. Photo: 1TV.
Starting today only public transport will work in the capital city, which will be disinfected on a daily basis.
Since February 26, 2020 Georgia has had 38 confirmed cases of COVID-19. However, one has already been discharged, decreasing the number of infected to 37.
Elderly beneficiaries of care homes in Tbilisi will receive food for free starting from today, as soup kitchens have temporarily closed in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus-Covid-19, reports the press office of Tbilisi City Hall.
Within the last 24 hours, Georgian law enforcers have placed 22 individuals under quarantine throughout the country for violating self-isolation rules to prevent the further spread of the new coronavirus – Covid-19, reports the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).
Starting tomorrow mini-buses, so-called ‘marshrutkas’, will not serve passengers in Tbilisi and sport and spa venues will be closed to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, as the country has had 34 confirmed cases of the respiratory infection since the end of February. Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated earlier today that public transport - busses and metro - will continue to work in a regular mode and will be disinfected on a daily basis.
Georgia confirmed four new cases of coronavirus earlier today, with the total number of infected individuals in the country standing at 37. Since February 26, 2020 Georgia has had 38 confirmed cases of COVID-19. However, one patient has recovered and was discharged. Director of Tbilisi Hospital of Infections Diseases Marina Ezugbaia said that the new patients had contact with one of the individuals who tested positive for the respiratory infection earlier and is now in hospital.
The police have placed 28 individuals under quarantine throughout the country for violating self-isolation rules to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, reports the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).
The US government has announced a rapid response grant programme for Georgian civil society organisations, civic movements and citizen groups to help the country respond to challenges caused by COVID-19 virus in a timely manner.
Public transport may be restored in the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi in June, announced Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze today.