Subject: info on government restrictions on COVID19
From: Maia Nikoleishvili
To: "[email-masked]" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2020 09:30:00 +0000

ნიკა, სალამი,

ეს ინფორმაცია მაქვს შეზღუდვებთან დაკავშირებით.

Chronology of main restrictions introduced by the Government of Georgia and gradual lifting

In response to the rapid spread of infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan (Hubei Province, China), on December 31st 2019 and for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 cases in Georgia, the Government of Georiga took significant steps within a month before the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed.

Þ     January 23 – By the decision of the Prime Minister an Interagency Coordination Council was established to efficiently respond to COVID-19 outbreak.

Þ     January 25 – Thermal screening started at airports. Gradually, all border checkpoints were equipped with the necessary thermal screening devices. Information leaflets were prepared for the passengers arriving from the novel Coronavirus transmission areas.

Þ     January 28 – Decree of the Government of Georgia #164 on “Approval of Measures to Prevent the Possible Spread of the New Coronavirus in Georgia and Approval of an Emergency Response Plan for Cases Caused by COVID-19” has been adopted (amended on February 26, with the GoG Decree #377), which determined the measures of response at the national level and responsibilities and duties of the relevant structures.

Þ     January 29 - Travel flights to and from China, Iran (February 23-26), Italy (March 4) were suspended and from March 14-16 travellig to and from neighboring countries was gradually stopped. From March 18, all foreign nationals’ entrance in Georgia was banned.

Þ     February 21 - The gradual return of Georgian citizens to their homeland from different countries started (the first charter flight was from China).

Þ     February 26 - The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Georgia. A Georgian citizen from Iran entered country through the Red Bridge customs border checkpoint. From this date the second stage of measures was launched to slow the spread of new cases.

Þ     March 2 - Educational process, including sports, cultural and social activities were suspended.

Þ     March 12 - Part of the employees have temporarily switched to distance working mode.

Þ     March 12 – Nationwide a state of emergency was declared. Due to the state of emergency, restrictions on international air/maritime/land travel (excluding freight transport) were imposed.

Þ     From March 31st to May 22nd  additional restrictions were imposed. Nationwide quarantine and curfew from 21:00 to 06:00 was declared. The public gathering of people was reduced from 10 to 3. The number of passengers, including driver was limited to three while driving by a vehicle.

Þ     April 15 - Entry and exit to four major Georgian cities - Tbilisi, Rustavi, Batumi and Kutaisi were forbidden.

Þ     April 17 - As a part of the State of Emergency, it was completely forbidden to drive a car in the country and enter to the cemetery areas. Restrictions did not apply to the transportation of cargo and distribution vehicles. Also, wearing face masks in closed public spaces, including public transport/taxi became mandatory.

Þ     Since the end of April, the virus reproduction rate has been <1 and tendency of stabilization of COVID-19 cases was in place. Therefore, the government moved to the third – adaptation stage to fighting the pandemic, which envisaged gradual removal of restrictions.

Þ     April 27 – The first phase of easing restrictions and opening up economy started. Restrictions on movement of cars, online shopping, delivery services and open agrarian markets were lifted.

Þ     May 5 – Activities related to technical service of cars, motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles were allowed.

Þ     May 11 - Any kind of production and extraction; activities of lending entities; activities of household and repair service providers; and functioning of recreation areas were allowed.

Þ     May 18 - Beauty salons and aesthetic medicine centers have been opened; public gathering of people increased from 3 to 10.

Þ     May 23 – Nighttime curfew restriction has been lifted. Restrictions on the movement of more than 3 people by a car (excluding taxi) were also removed. All retail and wholesale shops with street entrances, excluding clothing and shoe shops, were reopened.

Þ     May 29 - All types of municipal transport, including subway, have been opened.

Þ     June 1 - All kinds of (with open/close space) shops, malls, markets and the restaurants with open space were opened.

Þ     June 8 - Restrictions on intercity travel and all type of services in restaurants and hotels have been lifted.

Þ     June 15 – By the Decree #368 of the Government of Georgia the rule of wearing the face mask has been approved.

პატივისცემით,

მაია ნიკოლეიშვილი

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