Georgia announces timetable to re-open economy. Could this be the blueprint for how other countries will re-boot after COVID-19?

COVID-19 Outbreak Cases in Georgia: Wikimedia Commons

The country of Georgia has been relatively low on the scale for coronavirus cases to date, with around 400 confirmed cases and 5 deaths recorded. But that hasn't stopped the government from responding in a robust manner to the global pandemic.

We have managed to avoid a full lockdown here so far. But, as well as closing all non-essential businesses, private and public transport is currently banned, apart from delivery drivers. The major cities have also been quarantined, with only essential personnel able to leave or enter.

There have been concerns, in this mostly secular nation, that widely observed Easter celebrations in Georgia from 17th-20th April may lead to a spike in new cases. The Orthodox Church is still a powerful institution within the country, resisting all outside pressure to close places of worship. As this would be seen by the faithful as a capitulation to 'modern' influences.

Recently, there have been signs of unrest due to the restrictions. In the smaller villages, farmers have been protesting for a number of days due to what they see as police harassment. The main grievance is that they are unable to bring their produce to market, putting pressure on the local supply chain.

Pictured: Farmers in Georgia’s Marneuli protest inability to sell crops.

A minor Georgian libertarian party 'Girchi,' also tried to stage a protest this week against the recent extension of the State of Emergency until May 22nd. But the event was broken up by police when the organizers, as well as several would-be protesters, were arrested and fined 3000 GEL (around 900 USD) by the authorities for breaking the laws against public gatherings.

Pictured: Girchi party leader, Zurab Japaridze was arrested and fined.

In response to these events, the Georgian government released its draft plan for re-opening the economy on the 24th of April. The timetable allows for several 'phases' of two-week durations. However, if there is a spike in new infections each phase could be extended.

Many countries in Europe and elsewhere have resisted making such information public at this time. But as the international community seems to largely have been co-ordinating there response to the coronavirus pandemic. It will be interesting to see if this will be the blueprint for how other economies worldwide start to open up their economies if, as some experts believe, we are now indeed heading past the peak of "the curve"

Phase I of the plan will be rolled out in Georgia from April 27.

Phase I
Transportation fully allowed
Online wholesale retail will open
Delivery services open
Agricultural Markets (outdoors)

Phase II
Construction
Construction materials
Auto car services
Computer and electronic repair stores
Recreational zones - (outdoors)

Phase III
All stores opening (excluding shopping malls)
All types of open markets
All types of production
Publishing companies

Phase IV
Shopping malls
Restaurants and Bars (only with outdoor spaces)
All types of financial services
Aesthetic and beauty salons

Phase V
Indoor markets
All types of restaurants and bars

Phase VI
Entertainment complexes, sport complexes
Gambling businesses
Hotels and tourism
Educational services
All other businesses and services

Russell Thompson (@steem-beat)