Georgia lifts outdoor mask mandate

TBILISI. March 23 (Interfax) - Georgia has lifted almost all coronavirus-related restrictions, except the requirement to wear facemasks indoors and on public transport, following a decision by the coronavirus response coordinating council.

"Considering the positive trends, the pandemic in Georgia is coming to a close. From Monday, March 28, mask-wearing will no longer be required in outdoor spaces. The restrictions will apply to citizens arriving in Georgia," the country's Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili told journalists on Tuesday.

Georgia will receive Pfizer's Paxlovid drug to treat severe coronavirus cases, he said. "We will send this drug to our clinics free of charge," Azarashvili said.

According to the health ministry, Georgia has recorded 1,643,295 infections (including 1,053 over the past 24 hours) and 16,678 deaths since the start of the pandemic.