Georgia starts fining individuals for not wearing face masks
The measure is temporary and will be in place until at least July 15. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Individuals will be fined 20 GEL (about $6.6/€5.8) for not wearing face masks in closed public areas, public transport and taxis starting today.
For the violation, legal entities will be fined 500 GEL (about $164/€145).
However, some exceptions will be made for minors under the age of six, people with disabilities and people who have health problems that prevent them from wearing a mask.
Wearing face masks are necessary:
- at the front doors of public and private institutions
- at meetings held in public and private institutions when two meters social distancing cannot be observed
- in public lifts
- in shopping malls
- in beauty and aesthetic medicine centres
- in educational institutions
- in public transport including taxis, buses and metro
Georgia has also banned gatherings of more than 10 individuals for birthdays, weddings, funerals and other social events.
All individuals at social events with more than 10 people will be fined 2,000 GEL (about $658/€582) and a legal entity will be fined 10,000 GEL (about $3,289/€2,908).
The measure is temporary and will be in place until at least July 15.
Georgia has reported 15 new cases of the coronavirus earlier today, bringing the total number of cases to 879.
704 of the 879 patients have recovered, while 14 others have died.
As of today 161 people remain infected with COVID-19 in Georgia.
Domestic tourism resumes today in Georgia, while the country will open its doors to international tourists on July 1. Railway travel also resumes today. Georgian Railway officials say the company is ready to ensure the safe transportation of passengers and to implement the regulations imposed by the Ministry of Health of Georgia.
Thirteen more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Georgia increasing the number of total confirmed cases to 864. Meanwhile, with one more recovery, the number of recovered individuals has increased to 703. As of now, 147 individuals remain infected with coronavirus in the country;
The Georgian parliament has passed a bill in its third and final reading today which allows the fining of individuals and companies for not wearing face masks in closed public areas, public transport and taxis, and for gatherings of more than 10 individuals for birthdays, weddings, funerals and other social events.
Georgia plans to fine citizens for not wearing face masks in public places the amount of which is still subject to discussion as of now.
Face masks produced in Georgia by private companies have been exported to European countries and the USA.
Starting today, the ban on travelling by taxi with more than two people has been lifted, announces the government of Georgia. However, both driver and passengers must wear a facemask while travelling by taxi.