All shops close to stem coronavirus spread; groceries, pharmacies, gas stations, post offices and banks remain open
The decision aims to support the global response against the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has announced today that all malls will temporarily close in the country to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Only groceries, pharmacies, gas stations, post offices and banks will remain open.
PM Gakharia made an announcement after the recent meeting of the National Security Council. President Salome Zurabishvili and Parlaiemnt Speaker Archil Talakvadze also attended the meeting.
Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Earlier today the Georgian Retail Business Association stated that a number of popular brand shops, including Zara, Koton, Bershka, OVS, Terranova, Parfois, Levis, Massimo Dutti, Trussardi will be temporarily closed from March 19 to April 1 to support the global response against the coronavirus pandemic.
We are taking into consideration that today the country has moved from containment to the spread of the coronavirus; it has been declared a global pandemic; therefore, it is important to carry out effective and coordinated measures throughout the country to combat the virus”, the announcement reads.
The Association also noted that COVID-19 has made a negative impact on business, however, they expressed the readiness to cooperate with the Georgian authorities to overcome further spread of the coronavirus and minimise the possible danger.
Since February 26, 2020, Georgia had 40 confirmed cases of COVID-19, however, the first patient who has recovered has been discharged. As of now, 1,592 individuals are under quarantine in Georgia.
Georgia's financial sector is meeting the coronavirus challenge well prepared , announces the National Bank of Georgia (NBG).
Volunteers from the Tbilisi City Hall and the Georgian Red Cross Society (GRCS) will provide food, medications and hygiene products to 2,500 elderly individuals at the first stage in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus – COVID-19, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze stated today.
Georgian Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze says that if one has suspicious symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, they should use the hot line number 1505, which works around the clock.
Fourteen individuals from Tbilisi and the Imereti, Samegrelo, Kvemo Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Adjara regions of Georgia have been placed under quarantine within the last 24 hours for violating self-isolation rules to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
Georgia will likely receive 200,000 rapid tests from South Korea to diagnose the COVID-19 virus, Georgian Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze said earlier today.
Georgia has reported three new cases of COVID-19 virus earlier today, with the total number of infected individuals standing at 42. Since February 26, 2020 Georgia has had 43 confirmed cases of the virus. However, one has recovered and was discharged. As of now 1,575 are under quarantine in Georgia, with 275 others in hospitals.
Georgian troops will be confined to barracks from March 21 to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus. Defence Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced earlier today that his priority is to protect the Georgian servicemen and their families amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Some changes are being applied to the entry requirements for truck drivers from coronavirus high-risk countries. If a driver from the coronavirus high-risk country is transporting goods through the territory of Georgia to a third country, they will be escorted by the Patrol Police between the entry and exit customs crossing points of Georgia. When importing goods to Georgia, there are two possible scenarios for drivers upon arrival to the country.
A price restraint mechanism is ready and has been agreed upon between business and the government. Specifically, prices for nine products will not increase in Georgia, said the Prime Minister’s Spokesperson Irakli Chikovani earlier today.
Georgian citizens who are now in the EU Schengen Zone and will have to violate the legal, 90-day-term of stay due to restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19 virus, will receive ‘personal support’ from the Georgian government.Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani says that his body is in active communication with the European Commission and the EU member states to support Georgian citizens who are unable to leave the Schengen Zone.
Georgia’s National Tourism Administration (GNTA) will create quarantine zones for Georgian citizens returning to the country from abroad amid the outbreak of the new coronavirus – COVID-19, said GNTA head Mariam Kvrivishvili today.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said in her address to the nation today that the declaration of the state of emergency aims to counter the coronavirus pandemic.
Georgia declares a state of emergency to prevent the spread of the coronavirus until April 21. Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said at a news briefing today that no more than ten people will be allowed to gather during this time.
Georgia has enough supplies of meat and fish and there are no difficulties in importing cargo and replenishing supplies, announces Georgian Ministry of Agriculture Levan Davitashvili.
The Emergency Management Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has set up a field hospital in Marneuli municipality in eastern Georgia today after a local, 62-year-old woman tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, and who came into contact with more than 80 people and spent four days in a local hospital.
Despite a state of emergency, economic activity continues in Georgia except for Marneuli and Bolnisi municipalities in eastern Georgia where a strict quarantine regime has been imposed after a local, 62-year-old woman tested positive for COVID-19 came into contact with more than 80 locals.
State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of Georgia Ketevan Tsikhelashvili has urged the residents of the Russia-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions to follow recommendations of the World Health Organization, saying that the Georgian government is ready help them prevent the spread of COVID-19 if the need arises.
Georgia has received a total of 63 tonnes of food stuffs and medical supplies via Batumi port in western Georgia earlier today. Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia welcomed the two ships carrying 40 tonnes of food stuffs and 23 tonnes of medicines.