2020-04-16
According to the government's decision, traveling by car will be completely forbidden from 12:00 on 17 April through 21 April. The government will have to declare a full quarantine if the restrictions are violated, Prime Minister's Advisor for International Affairs and Spokesman Irakli Chikovani stated during a briefing held at the Administration of the Government.
"As you know, more than 30 new cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in Georgia in the past 24 hours. The number of cases has increased by 140 in one week, which indicates rapid growth. As of today, we have 348 confirmed cases of infection in total and the stage of active domestic transmission has begun in the country. Public healthcare officials expect a significant increase in the number of cases of infection in the next two-three weeks. The government took timely measures in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. Entry and exit was prohibited in four big cities of Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, and Rustavi from 21:00 yesterday in order to reduce the mobility of citizens. Despite the strict recommendations of specialists to stay at home, we can all see that a great deal of movement is nonetheless taking place, which is very dangerous. And today, unfortunately there is no more effective way or means of fighting against COVID-19 in the modern world than maintaining a social distance. Therefore, the government once again strongly urges you to stay at home! To this end, we have decided to tighten the imposed measures further. Starting at 12:00 tomorrow, 17 April, it will be completely forbidden to travel by car for the duration of the state of emergency, that is, through 21 April," Irakli Chikovani stated.
As the prime minister's advisor noted, the restriction does not apply to freight transportation and distribution vehicles.
"I would like to stress that grocery stores, pharmacies, and all other facilities that have been working until now will continue to operate as usual, as will the delivery services. Furthermore, companies operating within the range of permitted economic activities will need to apply to the corresponding ministries in order to obtain the permits necessary to ensure the transportation of their employees. They can also take advantage of the government's hotline by dialing 144," Irakli Chikovani stated.
According to him, starting tomorrow, wearing face masks in enclosed public spaces will be mandatory.
"Legal entities will be held responsible for the fulfillment of this requirement. I would like to remind you that the liability for legal entities has been set at 15,000 GEL. I would also like to remind you that starting tomorrow, restrictions will be imposed on entering cemeteries as well," the prime minister's advisor noted.
As Irakli Chikovani stated, if the restrictions imposed under the state of emergency are not rigorously observed by everyone, the epidemiological situation will deteriorate and the government will have to severely tighten the measures in the nearest future, which means declaring a full quarantine across the entire country.
"Unless every citizen - the private sector, the government, businesses, religious organizations, the civil society, everyone - rigorously observes the restrictions in place under the state of emergency and upholds the law, this will definitely become the basis for the sharp deterioration of the epidemiological situation in the country, and we will have to severely tighten the measures in the nearest future, which means declaring a full quarantine across the entire country. Once again, I strongly urge you to be responsible, take care of your own health, as well as the health of others, and stay at home! Every additional restriction or tightening of measures is aimed only at ensuring the health of our citizens, providing infected persons with comprehensive healthcare services, returning to the normal pace of life as soon as possible and with minimal losses, and gradually reviving our economy as planned. Therefore, I urge you to take care of each other, to take care of our country, and to not break the law! Stay at home! This is the only appeal of the Government of Georgia," Irakli Chikovani stated.
Press Service of the Government Administration