Page 7 - GEORptSep21

2.0 Politics
2.1 Georgian government imposes new Covid restrictions
for next three weeks
The Georgian government has announced new coronavirus restrictions that will apply between August 14 and September 4 to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The restrictions are as follows:
● Public transport (in all main cities) will not work between August 14
and September 4. Intercity transport will work in a regular manner. The government promises they will ensure regular transportation of people (in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi and Rustavi) to main hospitals or clinics to receive the coronavirus vaccine.
● No festivals, sport events or other large events will take place in the country in the reported period (except international sport events).
● Children's entertainment centres will be closed.
● Food facilities will work until 23:00.
● Public and private agencies are recommended to allow employees to
work remotely where it is possible. Head of Georgia’s National Centre for Disease Control Amiran Gamkrelidze has encouraged the public to visit vaccination centres even if they are not registered; they will be able to receive the vaccine without registration.
The government will also discuss a recommendation by health officials to give access to people for food facilities, spas, gyms and similar facilities only on the basis of a single vaccination or full course of vaccination, PCR test performed in the last 72 hours, or a rapid antigen test in the last 24 hours, starting September.
Georgia reported 5,128 new cases of coronavirus, 3,310 recoveries and 49 deaths in the past 24 hours.
Some 47,601 people officially remain infected with Covid-19 in Georgia currently.
2.2 EC president Michel to start consultations with Georgian government, opposition
European Council President Charles Michel said on July 29 that consultations were starting with a number of Georgian political actors, after the ruling Georgian Dream party quit the April 19 deal.
Michel noted he has “equally” taken note of the governing party’s withdrawal, and the largest opposition party United National Movement’s (UNM's) refusal to sign the agreement.
Michel said he remained convinced that the agreement, penned as a result of his mediation between Georgian political parties, “is the best way to advance a reform agenda which would strengthen the democratic institutions of Georgia
7 GEORGIA Country Report September 2021 www.intellinews.com