Quarantine measures in Abkhazia have been extended until early May

SUKHUM -- According to the order of the acting President of the Republic, a number of restrictions previously adopted for the prevention of coronavirus have been extended until May 1, with some of them continuing until May 4. 

The acting president of Abkhazia, Valeri Bganba, signed an order to extend restrictive measures to protect the population of the Republic of Abkhazia from the coronavirus infection.

According to the document, the following measures are in place:

• It is forbidden to hold mass, cultural, physical education, sports, entertainment, entertainment and exhibition events.
• Weddings, galas and other events are prohibited.
• Tourism and excursion activities in the territory of the republic are prohibited for the specified period.
• The reservation of places including the reception and accommodation of citizens in: hotels, sanatoriums, guest houses and other accommodation is suspended.
• Duty-free shops on the Abkhaz-Russian state border are closed.        
• Restaurants, cafes, bars, canteens, snack bars and other public catering facilities are closed, with the exception of takeaway services.
• Citizen visits to religious sites (territories) of religious organizations are suspended, with the exception of ministers and religious personnel of religious organizations.
• The movement (use) of public transport (intracity, suburban, intercity), with the exception of a passenger taxi, is prohibited.
• Hairdressing salons, beauty salons, gyms, spa salons, saunas, massage salons are closed. 
• Dental services, with the exception of diseases and emergency conditions, are prohibited. 
• The activities of cultural institutions (theatres, museums, libraries, cultural centres, concert halls and historical/cultural reserves) have been suspended.
• It was recommended that the heads of central and local government bodies, state institutions, enterprises and organisations to relieve workers over the age of 60 years old, and workers with preschool children from performing work (service) duties (without prejudice to work, production) while preserving wages.
• The heads of state authorities, local governments, state institutions, enterprises and organizations are prohibited from sending employees of these bodies, institutions, enterprises and organizations on foreign business trips until May 1, 2020.
• Entry into the republic is restricted for all categories of citizens through checkpoints on the Abkhaz-Russian state border, with the exception of:

-employees of diplomatic institutions of foreign states accredited in the Republic of Abkhazia or military personnel;

-drivers of vehicles engaged in international freight transport;

-freight train drivers;

-Citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia discharged from medical institutions of foreign states, accompanying persons (close relatives); newborns and their parents discharged from medical institutions of foreign countries, subject to their mandatory self-isolation and the appropriate medical supervision of them;

-transportation of the bodies of the deceased (citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia) and their accompanying persons (close relatives).

All citizens arriving into Abkhazia from countries where cases of COVID-19 are recorded should self-isolate for 14 days.

Also, according to the order of Valeri Bganba, the following measures should be followed until May 4:

• Suspend the activities of kindergartens.
• Extend your vacation at school.
• To suspend classes at the Abkhaz State University, Sukhum Open Institute, as well as in secondary vocational educational institutions.
• Suspend the activities of educational circles, sports, dance, rehearsal halls (sections).