Abkhazia extends and eases coronavirus state of emergency
The state of emergency in Abkhazia has been extended until May 1, 2020, but with softened regulations.
In particular, the curfew in two districts – Gagra and Gali – was canceled.
In addition, food and agricultural markets will be open three days a week.
Entrance to Abkhazia, both from Russia and Georgia, will continue to be closed. The authorities do not exclude that the border regime will continue after May 1.
Also, transport will not work until May 1, educational institutions will continue their vacations until May 4.
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The relaxation of the regulations is predicated on three circumstances:
● In Abkhazia, only three cases of COVID-19 were recorded, the latter was detected on April 10.
● The difficult economic situation in which the majority of the population is in connection with quarantine.
● The failure of the authorities to continue to maintain a tough quarantine option.
In late March and early April, the population of Abkhazia tried to adhere to the restrictive measures imposed by the authorities. But as early as mid-April, a significant part of the residents began to independently abolish restrictive measures for themselves.
The main problem of the state of emergency was the failure of the economy
Many families ended up where they physically did not have money to buy food.
Meanwhile, the budget is so weak that delays in the payment of salaries to employees of budgetary organizations and pensions have already begun.
Charitable foundations also began to report that they could not cope with the increased number of those in need.
