Georgia: Government to ease COVID-19 restrictions starting April 27 /update 11

Event

On Friday, April 24, Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia set out the government's six-stage framework for the easing of ongoing restriction measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The first phase will commence on Monday, April 27. A ban on the movement of private vehicles will be lifted, and grocery markets will reopen. Taxi services, as well as all online and delivery services, will resume. Each stage will last for two weeks, with different sectors being allowed to resume operations at the start of each stage.

Georgian authorities announced on Tuesday, April 21, that the current state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be extended to Friday, May 22. Under the state of emergency, gatherings of more than three people are prohibited. All flights except for repatriation flights for Georgian citizens organized by the government have been canceled. Borders have been closed to all foreigners, including passenger rail traffic. All nonessential businesses have been closed, including resorts, restaurants, cafés, casinos, nightclubs, and gyms. Additional checkpoints have been erected in Tbilisi and six other major cities to screen individuals and to enforce movement restrictions. An overnight curfew is in effect from 21:00 until 06:00 (local time) nationwide. All public transportation services, including the metro, are suspended. People over 70 years of age are only allowed to leave their homes to go to the nearest market, pharmacy, or hospital. 

To date, there are at least 444 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia, including five associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected over the coming days and weeks. 

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.