On 9 August, the Georgian government decided to reintroduce the mandatory wearing of face masks in open spaces where more than five people are gathering due to the deterioration of the epidemic situation in the country.

The implementation of other existing regulations such as the restriction of nightclub operations in both open and closed spaces and the operation of food facilities from 00:00 to 05:00 would also be tightened. Also, per the decision of Georgia’s coordination council, individuals who have recovered from Covid-19 and are vaccinated with a single dose will be considered fully vaccinated and the same regulations for fully vaccinated people would apply for easier border-crossing. 

In the past 24 hours, Georgia reported 2,236 new cases of the virus and 44 deaths, bringing the total tally to  450,149 cases and 6,128 deaths. In terms of vaccination, 641,242 people have received the Covid-19 vaccine so far and 197,118 are fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile in Armenia, the government approved a proposal to sign an agreement with the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), whereby the EDB will provide Armenia with a $3 million grant to improve, stabilise and strengthen the preparedness to fight Covid-19. The country’s Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan said the money will be used to strengthen and modernise the health care system to become better prepared to fight the virus. She said that a part of the grant will be used to reconstruct and to re-equip 2 branches of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Armavir and Ararat provinces, as well as to build a new infectious disease building for the Vanadzor Medical Center in the Lori province.  

In the past 24 hours, Armenia reported 140 new cases of the virus and 3 deaths, bringing the total tally to 232,297 cases and 4,653 deaths. 

As for Azerbaijan, the vaccination process in the country is ongoing, reporting that 22.5% of the entire population has been fully vaccinated. 5,418,243 Azerbaijani citizens had been vaccinated so far, where 3,160,484 received the first dose of the vaccine, and 2,257,759 people both batches of the vaccine. In the past 24 hours, Azerbaijan reported 1,101 new cases of the virus and 9 deaths, bringing the total tally to 352,926 cases and 5,072 deaths.