Abkhazia has extended its quarantine measures until June
Coronavirus is continuing its spread across the world, with more than four million confirmed cases in 188 countries.
SUKHUM -- President of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania signed an order on the further application of certain measures to protect the population of the Republic of Abkhazia from coronavirus infection COVID-19.
All restrictions will be valid until June 1. The corresponding order with detailed explanations was signed by the President of the Republic of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania on Thursday, May 14. A decision was made to resume the work of public catering facilities when arranging tables in compliance with the social distance (at least 1.5 meters), with the mandatory use of personal protective equipment by medical personnel - medical masks and gloves from May 15. In addition, from May 15, intercity public transport will begin work.
According to the Order, food, agricultural and clothing markets will continue to operate in the manner determined by the heads of administrations in coordination with the sanitary-epidemiological service, with the mandatory use of personal protective equipment by sellers and employees. Sanitary and epidemiological services are tasked to systematically organize preventive disinfection of market territories.
Any mass events remain banned.
"To prohibit the holding of mass, cultural, physical education, sports, entertainment and exhibition events. To prohibit the holding of the wedding, ceremonial and other events in the Republic of Abkhazia. To suspend the activity of wedding and other ceremonial halls, including restaurants and other catering facilities for [these] purposes," the text of the Order says.
Tourist and sightseeing activities are still prohibited. Reception and accommodation of citizens in hotels, sanatoriums, rest houses, guest houses and other places of accommodation are not allowed. Cultural institutions will not work too: theatres, museums, concert halls etc.
Entrance to the Republic of Abkhazia through checkpoints on the Abkhaz-Russian state border of foreign citizens and stateless persons, with the exception of employees of diplomatic institutions of foreign states, accredited in the Republic of Abkhazia or military personnel; drivers of vehicles dealing with international freight transport, freight train drivers will continue to be restricted.
The Ministry of Emergency of the Republic of Abkhazia, together with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, has been instructed to organize round-the-clock duty of the medical team at checkpoints across the Abkhaz-Russian state border. The competent authorities were also instructed to ensure the isolation of citizens for a period of 14 days from the day of arrival in the Republic of Abkhazia from countries where cases of coronavirus infection COVID-19 were recorded.
The leadership of Abkhazia also prohibits the operation of duty-free shops on the Abkhaz-Russian state border.
Under the ban remains the work of gyms, spas, saunas, massage parlours. Even some medical services, namely dental, will not be provided so far, with the exception of emergency cases.
The heads of central and local government bodies, state institutions, enterprises and organizations were instructed to release workers over 60 years old and workers with children of preschool age from fulfilling their labour duties while maintaining wages.
The activity of all educational institutions, sports schools, and circles is still banned. The exception is the upcoming final exams in 11 grades and the defence of diploma or qualification works in higher and secondary professional institutions "in accordance with the schedule established by these institutions, in compliance with the relevant sanitary and epidemiological requirements."
As of May 15, 14 patients with coronavirus infection remain in Abkhazia. The total number of COVID-19 cases detected in Abkhazia during the pandemic is 17 people. Of these, two recovered, one patient died.