On the Approval of Measures to Prevent the Possible Spread of the Novel Coronavirus in Georgia and the Emergency Response Plan for Cases of Novel Coronavirus Disease

Government of Georgia

Decree No 164

28 January 2020

Tbilisi

On the Approval of Measures to Prevent the Possible Spread of the Novel Coronavirus in Georgia and the Emergency Response Plan for Cases of Novel Coronavirus Disease

In accordance with the Law of Georgia on Public Health and Article 6 of the Law of Georgia on the Structure, Powers and Rules of Operation of the Government of Georgia:

1. The annexed Emergency Response Plan for the Cases of Novel Coronavirus Disease shall be approved.

2. The following obligations shall be assigned to:

a) relevant state agencies:

a.a) to develop and approve their own special emergency plans by 1 March 2020, with appropriate financial estimates;

a.b) within their competence, to ensure the funding of the measures specified in this Decree from their own appropriations;

b) the Ministry of Finance of Georgia:

b.a) to allocate appropriate appropriations to relevant state agencies specified in this Decree or institutions established with the participation of the State (including from the Reserve Fund of the Government of Georgia) if additional financial resources are required.

3. The Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia shall ensure the overall coordination of the activities provided for by this Decree.

3¹. LEPL L. Sakvarelidze National Center for Disease Control and Public Health under the state control of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia shall be assigned to function as a secretariat to ensure the smooth implementation of the measures provided for by this Decree (gathering/analysing information and, if necessary, submitting it to relevant agencies).

4. The procurement of services/goods necessary to ensure the measures specified in this Decree shall be performed in the case of urgent necessity and/or through simplified procurement in accordance with Article 10¹(3)(d) of the Law of Georgia on Public Procurement.

5. This Decree, except for paragraph 4, shall enter into force upon signature.

6. Paragraph 4 of this Decree shall enter into force for each of the contracting entities responsible for the implementation of measures determined by the Emergency Response Plan, in accordance with the procedure established by legislation for the respective contracting entities concerning the performance of public procurement through emergency and/or simplified public procurement in agreement with LEPL State Procurement Agency.

Prime Minister                                           Giorgi Gakharia

Annex

Emergency Response Plan for the Cases of Novel Coronavirus Disease

Article 1 – Scope/general part

1. The Emergency Response Plan for the Cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease (‘coronavirus’) defines nationwide response measures against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the responsibilities and duties of relevant structures.

2. The actions described in the Plan may, in whole or in part, be performed where the need arises and in accordance with the procedure for the classification of emergencies.

3. The Plan includes the following measures to respond to cases of disease caused by coronavirus: the detection of cases of the disease caused by coronavirus, identification, confirmation and risk assessment; laboratory testing; the notification of bodies responsible for responding; epidemiological surveys/response actions; informing the public about the elimination/mitigation of the risks and consequences associated with coronavirus and about actions to find a solution to the situation.

Article 2 – Purpose

1. The purpose of the Plan is to ensure that the State is prepared to respond to coronavirus in terms of both preventive measures and necessary measures to respond to the virus where it is detected.

2. The Plan is intended to guide the work of state and non-state agencies and outlines the necessary preparatory measures for coordinating an early response.

Article 3 – Objectives

As part of the emergency response to and preparedness for coronavirus, the strategic objectives of the Government of Georgia are to:

a) prepare accordingly (and proportionally) for expected threats if coronavirus is imported;

b) take measures to prevent or reduce the consequences if coronavirus is imported to Georgia from abroad and transmitted locally;

c) support efforts to stop, slow down and limit coronavirus outbreaks and to fulfil international obligations in respect of reporting (to the World Health Organization);

d) strengthen epidemiological surveillance and survey functions for the early detection of coronavirus;

e) organise health care systems for the treatment and assistance of persons infected with coronavirus, in general, without discontinuing the provision of essential health services to the population;

f) continuously ensure public and media involvement and proper information.

Article 4 – Basic obligations and powers

For the purpose of implementing the measures specified in this Decree:

1. The Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs (‘the Ministry’), together with LEPL L. Sakvarelidze National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (‘the National Center’) and LEPL Emergency Situations Coordination and Urgent Assistance Center, shall ensure the following:

a) for the purposes of public health protection, and in accordance with the International Health Regulations, the coordination of the planning and implementation of response measures in co-operation with all relevant government agencies;

b) the development of a case management protocol with the involvement of experts;

c) the development of a screening protocol;

d) the implementation of screening, within its competence;

e) the carrying out of epidemiological surveillance of cases for the purpose of detecting coronavirus cases (including laboratory diagnostics);

f) the sending of suspect/positive specimens to the referral laboratory of the WHO for confirmation and additional research, where necessary;

g) the subsequent immediate evacuation of coronavirus cases;

h) the quarantine of passengers arriving from coronavirus areas (identified by the WHO as high-risk zones) and their isolation and restriction;

i) the identification of medical facilities for the management of suspect and/or confirmed coronavirus cases and the putting in place of a referral mechanism;

j) the provision of medical personnel, epidemiologists and other target groups with necessary information and training, based on WHO recommendations;

k) the tightening of infection control measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus;

l) upon the detection of possible coronavirus cases, the immediate informing of the Government of Georgia, with a view to launching the Response Plan for Particularly Dangerous Pathogens and Biological Incidents;

m) the screening of the drivers of cargo vehicles carrying out the international transportation of cargo, within its competence; the drivers of vehicles in transit shall not be subject to isolation in the case of negative results upon thermal screening;

n) the provision of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia with information on persons subject to self-isolation in order to strengthen control over compliance with the rules of self-isolation.

2. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia shall ensure:

a) the coordination of all preventive and response measures provided for by this Decree and the protection of the safety of medical facilities;

b) assistance and security in the movement of ambulances and other vehicles transporting patients, as well as citizens for the purpose of isolation and restriction;

c) quarantine measures, the isolation of the focal points of coronavirus, and safety;

d) the protection of public order and security of strategic state facilities;

e) the escorting to a respective border checkpoint of cargo vehicles (with their crew), at risk of spreading coronavirus, passing in transit through the territory of Georgia;

f) the enforcement of relevant decisions on self-isolation and/or quarantine of persons, through appropriate units, in coordination with the relevant services of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia;

g) the taking of appropriate measures under Article 4(4)(f) within its competence.

3. The Patrol Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia shall ensure:

a) the distribution of instruction booklets to passengers arriving from areas with coronavirus transmission, within its competence;

b) the registration of information at border checkpoints about the accommodation in Georgia of passengers arriving from coronavirus affected areas (identified by the WHO as high-risk zones), indicating entry characteristics (e.g. flight number, vehicle type, fellow-travellers), contact information, and the date of leaving the coronavirus affected area.

4. The LEPL Revenue Service within the governance of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia shall ensure:

a) within its competence, the distribution of leaflets (instruction booklets) among passengers arriving from areas with coronavirus transmission upon their entry into the country;

b) the handling of passengers (including transit passengers) arriving from coronavirus affectedareas (identified by the WHO as high-risk zones) through international airports and other customs checkpoints:

b.a) according to the information received, the collection of detailed travel history data for each such passenger;

b.b) screening in accordance with the International Health Regulations;

b.c) the immediate provision of information to the National Center;

b.d) in order to reduce the risk of the spread of coronavirus in Georgia, requiring from persons arriving in Georgia who have travelled in countries nominated by the WHO as countries with the risk of epidemic (the People’s Republic of China, South Korea, the Republic of Italy, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of France, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of Spain, the Confederation of Switzerland, the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Denmark, and from 00:00 am of 18 March 2020 – all other countries) in the previous 14 days, or who have travelled through such countries:

b.d.a) to present an appropriate certificate of testing for coronavirus (a specific laboratory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test) issued within the previous 3 days by an appropriate laboratory of the country of departure or transit (except for the countries with the risk of epidemic as determined by WHO);

b.d.b) in the case of failure to present the certificate referred to in sub-paragraph (b.d.a) of this paragraph, to undergo an epidemiological examination first, and then a mandatory 14-day isolation procedure in accordance with the procedures established by the Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia;

c) the entry into the country of freight vehicles coming from the coronavirus affectedareas (identified by WHO as high-risk zones) on condition that the drivers of the freight vehicles are replaced by other natural persons, who are not in the risk groups (including those entering from areas with coronavirus transmission) and the following requirements are met:

c.a) proper disinfection of the freight vehicle is carried out under the supervision of an authorised person of the customs authority;

c.b) the driver of the freight vehicle (the person who was driving the vehicle at the moment of crossing the customs border of Georgia) is subject to return (in the case of a foreign national) or placement in quarantine at a relevant medical institution depending on his/her clinical condition;

c.c) a tractor unit of the freight vehicle is replaced with a tractor unit which is not considered as posing a risk of spreading coronavirus. At the same time, under the supervision of an authorised person of the customs authority, a trailer of the freight vehicle is properly disinfected, and the original tractor unit (the tractor unit which was used for transportation to the customs territory of Georgia) is sent back;

d) the provision of information to importers and, in order to minimise the risks associated with road transportation, the giving of recommendations on the transportation of cargo into the country by rail transport (if possible);

e) the screening of drivers of vehicles coming from coronavirus affectedareas (identified by WHO as high-risk zones) in accordance with the International Health Regulations, and if suspect cases are identified during screening, the inspection of the documentation related to such cases, and:

e.a) the immediate temporary isolation of the person in question on site and the implementation of the measures provided for in sub-paragraph (c) of this paragraph;

e.b) if it is not possible to temporarily isolate the person on site, the transfer of the person with an escort to the nearest customs control area and the implementation of the measures provided for in sub-paragraph (e.a) of this paragraph.

Note: within the scope of sub-paragraph (e) of this paragraph, sub-paragraphs (c.a) and (c.b) of this paragraph shall apply to the entry into the country of light motor vehicles and buses.

f) within its competence, the imposition of the following restrictions on crossing the Georgian border:

f.a) in terms of air traffic:

f.a.a) only citizens of Georgia and their accompanying family members shall have the right to enter Georgia from the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation through the airspace from 14 March 2020, and after 00:00 am on 18 March 2020 from all the other countries, for two weeks;

f.a.b) in accordance with the decisions of the executive authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation, the movement for the citizens of third countries (except for citizens of third countries who are travelling together with citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia, and the Russian Federation, and who are their family members) shall be restricted from leaving Georgia for the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia, and the Russian Federation through the airspace;

f.a.c) transit passengers travelling by air through the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia, and the Russian Federation, who are passing through the airspace of Georgia without stopping, shall not be restricted from leaving Georgia;

Note: within the scope of sub-paragraphs (f.a.a) and (f.a.b) of this paragraph, a spouse, child or parent of a person shall be considered as his/her family member, which must be evidenced by appropriate documentation;

f.b) in terms of land traffic:

f.b.a) only citizens of Georgia and their accompanying family members shall have the right to enter Georgia from the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation through land customs checkpoints from 14 March 2020, and after 00:00 pm on 18 March 2020 from all the other countries, for two weeks;

f.b.b) in accordance with the decisions of the executive authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia, and the Russian Federation, only citizens of these countries (the Republic of Azerbaijan or the Republic of Armenia or the Russian Federation) and their accompanying family members shall have the right to leave the territory of Georgia for the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia, and the Russian Federation through land customs checkpoints;

f.b.c) international cargo transportation by land to the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation through the territory of Georgia shall be carried out smoothly, in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations and under the control of the responsible authorities;

g) the restrictions set forth in sub-paragraph (f)(f.a.a) and (f.b.a) of this article shall not apply to:

g.a) representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in Georgia and of international organisations, and their family members;

g.b) family members of citizens of Georgia, irrespective of their citizenship;

g.c) persons coming on a humanitarian mission, if there is a need for such a mission (doctors, volunteers, etc.);

g.d) stateless persons with a status in Georgia;

g.e) persons having a neutral identity card and/or a neutral travel document;

g.f) persons having refugee status in Georgia;

g.g) members of official delegations, if an appropriate decision is made;

g.h) drivers involved in international freight transportation, personnel involved in international railway transportation related to the carriage and escort of cargo by railway, and aircraft crew members;

Note:

1. The citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation, and their family members, who are travelling in transit through the territory of Georgia from the third countries, shall travel through the territory of Georgia in an organised manner, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, under the supervision of the relevant authorities;

2. Within the scope of sub-paragraphs (f) and (g), a spouse, child or parent of a person shall be considered as his/her family member, which must be evidenced by appropriate documentation;

h) taking into consideration the epidemiological situation, on the basis of the proposals of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, a restriction on taking out (export and re-export) from Georgia certain pharmaceutical products and medical items as a provisional measure.

5. The LEPL National Food Agency and the LEPL Revenue Service shall prohibit the import of live animals from the People’s Republic of China.

6. The LEPL Georgian Public Broadcaster shall be requested to provide the general public with accurate and necessary information on the outbreak of coronavirus, and the measures aimed at reducing the risk of exposure to the virus.

7. The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, through other relevant structures within its system, shall ensure, within its competence:

a) the provision of information to natural and legal persons employed in the tourism industry on the spread of coronavirus;

b) the temporary termination of direct international flights to the People’s Republic of China; the temporary termination of direct international flights to the Islamic Republic of Iran from 23 February 2020; the temporary termination of direct international flights to the Republic of Italy from 6 March 2020, 16:00 CET; the temporary termination of direct international flights to the Republic of France from 19 March 2020, with the exception of a direct international flight to / from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris on 20 March 2020. These restrictions shall not apply to flights where the aircraft arrives in Georgia from the mentioned countries without passengers for the purpose of taking passengers from Georgia;

b¹) the temporary termination of scheduled international flights from 21 March 2020. This restriction shall not apply to flights where foreign aircraft arrive in Georgia from foreign countries without passengers for the purpose of taking passengers from Georgia. This restriction shall also not apply to cargo; governmental flights; flights to be carried out for outpatient care, emergency and technical landing purposes; flights to be carried out for aerial works and search and rescue activities. Applications for non-scheduled (chartered) flights shall be reviewed individually by LEPL Civil Aviation Agency in coordination with the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia;

c) the restrictions set forth in sub-paragraphs (b) and (b¹) of this paragraph may be revised taking into account the risk of the epidemic situation, in accordance with the instructions of the Ministry;

d) the procurement of relevant goods and services to provide masks (whether it be multilayer fabric (cotton / bandage) or other relevant material) for the purpose of preventing the spread of coronavirus.

8. LLC United Airports of Georgia (ID/N: 404389693) shall be assigned to:

a) immediately ensure the procurement, at its own expense, of thermoscanners and related equipment, together with subsequent installation and integration services, for their placement at Georgian International Airports;

b) transfer on a temporary basis the thermocanners procured under this paragraph to the LEPL called the Revenue Service within the Ministry of Finance of Georgia free of charge, which shall be used by the latter for screening passengers at the international airports of Georgia;

c) immediately apply to the Ministry of Finance of Georgia for the allocation of additional financial resources if the total value of the procurement referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph exceeds EUR 75,000.

8¹. LEPL Land Transport Agency shall ensure:

a) the connection of companies which are owners of vehicles (hauling vehicles in the case of a combination of coupled vehicles) entering the border checkpoints of Georgia, whose drivers are subject to preventive measures in connection with the spread of the novel coronavirus, with local haulage companies for the replacement of hauling vehicles (together with drivers) or for the replacement of drivers only;

b) the provision of local haulage companies with information on health and customs procedures related to measures for the reduction of the risk of spreading coronavirus;

c) in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the procurement of the services related to the transportation of the citizens of Georgia from the Republic of Bulgaria to Georgia by a special charter flight. In accordance with Article 21(4) of the Law of Georgia on Public Procurement, and Article 10(8) of the Procedure approved by Order No 13 of 17 August 2015 of the Chairperson of the LEPL Public Procurement Agency On Approval of the Procedure for Determining the Simplified Procurement Criteria and for Conducting Simplified Procurement, the requirements of Article 10(2), Article 12(1)-(2), and Article 13(3) of the Procedure approved by the same Order shall not apply to the agreements to be concluded in relation to the procurement specified in this sub-paragraph.

8². LEPL Georgian National Tourism Administration shall ensure the procurement of various goods and services related to the placement under mandatory quarantine, transportation, nutrition, cleaning, security and creation of proper conditions for relevant persons during the period of quarantine in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In accordance with Article 21(4) of the Law of Georgia on Public Procurement and Article 10(8) of the Procedure approved by Order No 13 of 17 August 2015 of the Chairperson of LEPL State Procurement Agency on the Approval of the Procedure for Determining Simplified Procurement Criteria and for Performing Simplified Procurement, the requirements established by Article 10(2), Article 11(1) and (1¹), Article 12(1) and (2), and Article 13(3) of the procedure approved by the same Order shall not apply to contracts to be concluded with regard to the procurement provided for by this paragraph.

8³. Mountain Resorts Development Company LTD shall procure various types of goods and services related to anti-avalanche works to ensure the smooth passage of vehicles on the Kobi-Gudauri highway section. In accordance with Article 21(4) of the Law of Georgia on Public Procurement and Article 10(8) of the Procedure approved by Order No 13 of 17 August 2015 of the Chairperson of LEPL State Procurement Agency on the Approval of the Procedure for Determining Simplified Procurement Criteria and for Performing Simplified Procurement, the requirements laid down in Article 10(2), Article 12(1) and (2) and Article 13(3) of the same Order shall not apply to contracts to be concluded in respect of procurement under this paragraph.

9. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia shall ensure:

a) the provision of information to the relevant embassies on the necessity of health insurance of citizens of their countries intending to enter the territory of Georgia, the health status of citizens of their countries staying in the territory of Georgia, and on additional regulations (if any) imposed by the Government of Georgia for preventing the spread of coronavirus;

b) the provision of official information on diseases in the country to the competent authorities of foreign countries and international organisations;

c) the provision of information to the Government of Georgia on cases of coronavirus diagnosis among the citizens of Georgia staying in countries with a high risk of spreading coronavirus and of those staying in other countries;

d) the negotiation of the possibility of introducing a temporary visa regime with countries nominated as high-risk zone countries.

9¹. Local self-government bodies shall be requested to take appropriate measures to restrict the transportation of passengers by M₂ category buses within the administrative boundaries of a municipality from 18 March 2020.

10. The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia shall, on the basis of the recommendations of the Ministry and the National Center, and within the scope of its competence, ensure the taking of appropriate preventive measures in general education, vocational education, higher education and scientific research institutions operating within the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Georgia.

11. The agencies referred to in this Annex shall, for the purposes of mutual coordination, ensure the exchange of information obtained by them.