Reopening the economy: construction, auto repair companies resume operations starting May 5

Georgia continues to lift coronavirus-related restrictions. Starting tomorrow construction and auto repair businesses will be able to resume operations, announced Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia today.

He said that the economic revival of the country, including the reopening of the economy and post-crisis management, has become the number one priority for the government.

But we will have this opportunity only if the Ministry of Health effectively manages the epidemic situation... at the same time, every citizen should understand that new things, not very pleasant ones, such as masks and social distancing, are becoming a part of our life. I reiterate this because it is the only way to compete economically and to be effective in terms of economic recovery", said Gakharia.

• Gov't outlines 6-phase plan to reopen the Georgian economy

Georgia began the first phase of a plan to gradually lift coronavirus-related restrictions on April 27, allowing private vehicles and taxis back out onto the roads, and e-commerce (wholesale and retail), delivery services and open air markets to resume operations. 

• Georgia begins lifting several coronavirus-related restrictions
• 24 open air produce markets reopen in Georgia

As the epidemiological situation is stable in the country the second phase of reopening the economy is starting five days earlier than planned and if the coronavirus situation does not worsen in three months Georgian the economy will be fully reopened.

During the second phase that starts on May 5 the following activities will be allowed:

• Construction
• Construction supervision
• Manufacture of building materials
• Car repair, auto-service facilities

Third phase - starting May 24

• Retail and wholesale stores will be opened, apart from malls
• Restrictions will be lifted on all types of open markets, all types of production and publishing activities

Fourth phase - starting June 7:

• Shopping malls
• Restaurants and on-site food facilities
• All types of financial services, beauty salons and aesthetic medicine facilities

Fifth phase - starting June 21:

• Opening of closed markets, all types of on-site restaurants/catering facilities.

Sixth phase - starting July 5:

• Entertainment, sports, recreational, creative activities
• Gambling
• Hotels
• Educational institutions and all other activities

All businesses regardless of category will have to abide by hygiene standards set by the Ministry of Health, including maintains social distancing measures, wearing a mask in closed commercial and other spaces, 

Gakharia said that if the pandemic situation worsens the restrictions may be reimplemented. 

Click to see the government's anti-crisis economy plan in detail.