Issue no: 1235 • MARCH 13 - 16, 2020 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50 In this week’s issue... FOCUS Coronavirus Updates: Georgia & the World ON A GLOBAL NEWS PAGE 2 PANDEMIC Georgian Government's A look at measures being Statement on Current taken home and abroad to Situation Regarding stop the spread PAGE 2 Coronavirus NEWS PAGE 2 The Last Tsar of Russia POLITICS PAGE 4 What Do the Amendments to the Georgian Election Code Imply? POLITICS PAGE 5 Image source: tuoitrenews.vn Study: Men Advance Career GD & Opposition Agreement Named Important Easier than Woman in Step to Democracy by Major Intl' Allies Georgian Public Sector BUSINESS PAGE 7 BY ANA DUMBADZE How to Organize Events acilitators of the dialogue between Without Producing So Much Georgia’s political parties released a statement on the agreement achieved Waste? CENN/USAID between the opposition and the gov- ernment on Sunday March 8. Recommendations F“We congratulate the participants of the polit- ical dialogue on [Sunday’s] successful agreement, BUSINESS PAGE 8 which represents a crucial step towards the depolarization and normalization of the politi- cal environment in Georgia in the run-up to the R.O x Konoba to Play parliamentary elections later this year. "Today’s agreement foresees an election sys- Georgia Again tem for 2020 based on 120 proportional mandates and 30 majoritarian mandates, a fair composition CULTURE PAGE 11 of election districts, a 1% threshold, and a cap recognizing that no single party that wins less than 40% of the votes should be able to get its Georgia-Russia Rugby own majority in the next parliament. Georgia’s judicial and electoral processes and and country of Georgia,” reads the statement. "The agreement is accompanied by a joint of avoiding any such actions in the future. After four rounds of talks and negotiations Match to be Held in statement among the sides outlining the agree- "We recognize today’s agreement as a stepping- that ended without results, representatives of ment and recognizing the wider objective of stone on Georgia’s democratic path. We call on the Georgian government and opposition on Empty Stadium amid holding free and fair elections, including the all sides to adhere to it and to safeguard its suc- March 8 reached the agreement on the electoral necessity of addressing actions that could be cessful adoption in Parliament and subsequent model. Coronavirus Risk perceived as an inappropriate politicization of implementation, for the benefi t of the people Continued on page 7 SPORTS PAGE 11 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS MARCH 13 - 16, 2020 Georgian Government's Statement on Current Situation Regarding Coronavirus cil of the Government of Georgia regularly compliance with the rules of self-isolation BY ANA DUMBADZE publishes new resolutions and recom- in full coordination with the Ministry of mendations in line with its Action Plan. Health of Georgia. "One of such most signifi cant preven- "We stress that along with the medical he Government of Georgia tive measure is to avoid the intensive care of our citizens, the Government of on Thursday released a concentration of citizens in closed spaces. Georgia takes intensive steps towards special statement regarding Therefore: effective response against those chal- the current coronavirus 1. Nationwide holidays announced by lenges that may affect the economy of situation in the country. education and child-care institutions the country through a further spread of TThrough the statement, the executive have been extended to April 1, 2020; COVID-19. Work is already actively pur- authorities explain the decisions and 2. Mandatory military recruitment sued with businesses, including the bank- steps taken in the fi ght against the dis- scheduled for spring has also been post- ing and tourism sectors, along with other ease. poned till April 13, 2020; segments of the private sector. The eco- "The World Health Organization (WHO) 3. Part of staff employed at line minis- nomic team of the Government of Geor- has declared the novel coronavirus tries and other public institutions have gia will submit a specifi c Plan of Economic (COVID-19) a global pandemic. The Inter- been temporarily moved to a distance weekends. Also, newly admitted accused to also cover Germany, France, Spain and Incentives by close of business (COB) Agency Coordination Council led by the work schedule and namely those whose and convicted inmates will be placed in Austria. Individuals traveling from these on March 12, 2020, to mitigate the poten- Prime Minister of Georgia is working in work profi le does not require a physical isolation from other accused and con- countries are obliged to: tial impact caused by the global pandemic an intensive manner by taking into account presence at work will work from home. victed inmates during the regime of spe- 1. Present evidence of their lab test for on the economy of Georgia. the current situation in the country and Such a recommendation is given to pri- cial conditions. the novel Coronavirus (COVID -19) (spe- "It needs to be underlined that unfor- global trends, thus implementing its own vate companies as well. Though, we wish 6. Education, sports and other events cifi cally the Polymerase Chain Reaction tunately due to the occupation of terri- Action Plan in line with the pandemic to underline that such a work schedule envisaged for attendance of a wide num- (PCR) Lab Test Results) which will be tories of Georgia and the closure of the preparedness announced by the WHO should not jeopardize the effective per- ber of people will be suspended in Geor- issued by a respective laboratory in the so-called crossing points, the Government several days ago. formance of one's duties and should not gia. country of departure or a transit country, of Georgia lacks the possibility to deliver "By taking into account the current affect the staff remuneration; • The following have already been sus- if traveling through a third country. healthcare services to residents of such statistics from all over the world, the 4. Individuals on probation will be lib- pended: highest-in-rank football cham- 2. If and when an individual fails to occupied territories, which is particularly situation in Georgia remains stable erated from the duty of visiting the Pro- pionship of Georgia, age-related tourna- present the PCR Lab Test Results, s/he vital in the given circumstances. As such, through coordinated and timely imple- bation Bureaus and from complying with ments, national and age-specifi c rugby should undergo an applicable epidemio- the Government of Georgia is working mented measures. Nevertheless, the requirements of the regime through April championships, volleyball championship, logic inspection, followed with a com- in an intensive manner through all pos- challenge is huge and each citizen should 14, 2020. The necessity of physical inter- age-specifi c basketball tournaments, etc.; pulsory 14 day-long quarantine procedure sible means, including those with an demonstrate a high degree of civil respon- action with a probation offi cer, along • Grand Prix in Judo originally sched- in line with the Rules defi ned by the engagement of international partners, to sibility both towards oneself, as well as with the compulsory meetings with social uled for March 27-29 at Tbilisi Olympic Ministry of Refugees from Occupied carry out preventive measures and pro- towards the general public. workers or psychologists is canceled at Palace has been offi cially canceled on Territories of Georgia, Labor, Health and vision of information to residents of the "The Government of Georgia and pre- this point. Failure to visit probation the decision of the International Judo Social Security of Georgia. occupied territories and to ensure access dominantly Ministries of Health, Interior, bureaus will be deemed excusable and Federation (IJF); "We urge citizens of Georgia to avoid to medical services in case of need. Justice, Foreign Affairs, Economy, Educa- no legal consequences will follow; • The Georgia-Russia game in rugby traveling overseas if not for an unavoid- "In addition, it is very important that tion, Finance and Regional Development, 5. Special conditions have been enforced under the European aegis scheduled for able necessity! citizens of Georgia rely and trust only along with other public institutions, have for two weeks at penitentiary institutions. March 14, 2020, at the Stadium Named "The effective fi ght against the COVID- verifi ed and offi cially validated informa- moved towards a 24/7 work schedule in Accused and convicted inmates will be after Mikheil Meskhi will be held with 19 requires not only the greatest caution tion on the current situation related to the current emergency circumstances. suspended the right of family, long-term no spectators. and attention of the Government but COVID-19, which is available at a website "Currently, 24 individuals have been and short-term visits as envisaged under With the resolution of the Inter-Agency society at large. Hence, absolute adher- designed and administered by the Gov- confi rmed positive for COVID-19. Each the Code of Imprisonment, along with Coordination Council of the Government ence to the rules of self-isolation is most ernment of Georgia at StopCoV.ge," reads patient is under comprehensive medical short-term visits outside the institutions of Georgia, restrictions are being extended important. We categorically call upon the statement. care, while citizens having had interac- restricting their freedom. Also, during for border crossing by air and land trans- you to demonstrate civil consciousness 25 cases of coronavirus have been con- tion with the infected individuals are the regime of special conditions, con- portation both for citizens of Georgia and keep away from breaching the rules fi rmed in Georgia so far. Currently, there subject to procedures defi ned by the victed inmates will be suspended the and foreign travelers: of self-isolation! are 295 people in quarantine and 49 peo- Ministry of Health through its protocols.