Government lifts up more restrictions
By Khatia Bzhalava
Tuesday, June 9
From June 8th, the Government of Georgia lifted imposed restrictions, in particular, intercity travels are permitted, restaurants are able to give out all types of services from today onwards and currency exchange kiosks are reopened.
Intercity travels by buses and minibuses are restored countrywide. According to the regulations, both passengers and drivers must wear masks while traveling and the buses must be provided with defensive barriers. The vehicles must be disinfected frequently and ventilated regularly. The railway travels for passengers are determined to restore from May 15th.
Open space cafes and restaurants have been functioning since June 1st, however, from now on, all restaurants are eligible to restore their services. General recommendations of restaurants and cafes include the use of a reservation system and favouring no-cash payments. Indoor restaurants must keep 2 meters distance between tables with a maximum of 6 customers at a table (1metre distance between customers). Spaces must be cleaned with a 2-hour regime and must be provided with natural or artificial ventilation systems. Hotels that fulfill the regulations of the Ministry Of Labor Health And Social Affairs and have received certain permission from the authority are able to function as well. According to Georgian hotel, cafe and restaurant federation, hostels are still restricted to work so far, unless they offer individual rooms to the customers.
Currency exchange kiosks, which had been disallowed to work since March 31st, reopen as well. The National Bank calls for the points to strictly obey the rules and the recommendations.
The act of legislation which responds to violating the regulation of wearing masks will be unveiled to the bureau of the Parliament in the session of June 8th. According to the legislature act, an individual who does not wear a mask to the public indoor places will be fined with GEL50, and if a person without a mask is admitted to the indoor facility, the owner (juristic person) will be fined with GEL500. Taxi drivers and passengers are also required to wear masks, otherwise, they will also face an administrative penalty of GEL20-30. The changes will enter the code of administrative offense and criminal code of Georgia.
A few restrictions remain in force- gathering of more than 10 people, intercity travels for passengers by railway trains and air transport, transporting more than 3 people by taxi (one of them is a driver) and holding sporting, cultural and entertaining events.
As of June 8th, only one new case of the Coronavirus has been reported and 8 patients have recovered. Overall, there are 810 cases, with 683 recoveries and 13 deaths. 2915 citizens are quarantined and 237 are hospitalised.
