Georgian government presented a plan to remove some of the restrictions and vaccinations against Covid-19

According to government decision, certain COVID-19 restrictions will be extended in some of the largest cities through March 1, while rules will be eased as planned in some others. The nationwide curfew – 21:00 to 05:00 – will also be prolonged to March 1.

Both public transport and schools will remain closed in the  large cities  until March 1. Since February 1, all kinds of shops and shopping malls will reopen in the cities, while open and closed marketplaces will also be back to work starting February 15.

Students will return to physical attendance at preschools and higher education facilities nationwide starting March 1. In addition, the ban on intercity public transportation, gyms, swimming pools, as well as the restrictions in place in Georgia’s ski resorts – originally set to open on February 1 – have been kept in effect until further notice.

To prevent the spread of the virus amid easing restrictions, the government has developed a testing protocol for each area. In particular:

• All types of retail facilities with more than 30 employees, including markets, will be required to provide testing of at least 20% of employees within two weeks;
• For catering facilities, this requirement will affect at least 50% of employees;
• In parallel with the opening of schools – the state will provide testing of teachers once every two weeks.

Business enterprises will be able to register on a special portal and under the intensive testing program, until March 1, with state funding, to test their employees in accordance with the protocol.

Georgia’s national COVID-19 vaccination plan only allows using vaccines approved by the World Health Organization, or either of the top 37 national regulatory bodies. This condition, as per  today, implies only Pfizer/BioNTech, Astrazeneca and Moderna  will be permitted for the national vaccination plan.

The stage 1a of the plan, spanning first five weeks of vaccine rollout, foresees vaccination of 65% of all medical personnel. 60% of beneficiaries and employees of long-term care facilities, and 60% of senior citizens over 75 will also be vaccinated at this stage.

Under the next 1b stage, 60% of those between 65-74, will get their vaccine jabs. Essential service providers and  persons belonging to 55-64 age group, representing 60% of their respective target groups, are set to follow in the 2a stage. In the 2b stage, persons with chronic illnesses from 18-54 group, are expected to follow suit. 60% of the remainder of the population  will be vaccinated during the third and final stage of the national plan.