🇬🇪📈 Georgian doctors predict a severe epidemiological situation in January.
«The current level of infection per day in 3590 cases shows that a new strain stands behind this," said Ivane Chkheidze, head of the immunization group - "If events develop, as for example in Denmark, then we simply will not have enough beds in hospitals. The number of new cases per day can reach 12-20 thousand." At the moment, 148 cases of the new strain have been confirmed in the laboratory in the country, but in reality, according to epidemiologists, there are already 4-5 times more of them.
It is expected that the situation will become more complicated over the next 2 weeks.
❗️ According to the head of the Center for Disease Control Amiran Gamkrelidze: "the next few days will give serious information whether it is necessary to tighten the rules in the country or not."

🦠 05.01. Coronavirus statistics in Georgia per day:
Tests carried out - 40377.
The incidence rate is 8.51% (-0.52%)
+3436 infected
+1805 recovered
+32 died
+7191 vaccinations
❗️ Deputy Minister of Health Tamar Gabunia said that the readiness of clinics for a possible increase in cases against the background of a new strain of omicron is maximum. The staff is ready, the clinics have supplies of medicines and oxygen.

🦠🧪 In Georgia, 159 cases of a new strain of coronavirus "omicron" have been confirmed in the laboratory.
According to the Center for Disease Control, 16% of them had previously been ill with other varieties of the virus, and 60% had been vaccinated.
❗️In 98% of cases, the course of the disease passes easily.

↔️🇬🇪 Events in Kazakhstan and Georgia.
Let me remind you that mass protests are taking place in many cities of Kazakhastan for the second day. Which began due to a sharp increase in gas prices, continued with demands for the resignation of the government (it has already happened) and the removal of Nazarbayev and Tokayev from long-term power. At the moment, clashes between protesters and police are continuing, the Internet is turned off throughout the country, a state of emergency has been introduced

What connects Georgia and Kazakhstan? Let me remind you of a few facts:
📍 in November alone, Georgia received $9 million in money transfers from Kazakhstan, which is 309% more than in 2020
📍 Kazakhstan is on the 5th place in the export of Georgian wine
📍 only in August and September 23,000 tourists came from Kazakhstan to Georgia
📍 the trade turnover between the countries is more than $ 200 million
📍 Kazakhstan is one of the leading countries in terms of foreign direct investment in the Georgian economy
📍 ROMPETROL company: 86 gas stations are under management, revenue in 2020 is 432 million lari, controlled by the state investment company of Kazakhstan
📍 more than 30 companies with Kazakh capital operate in Georgia, with a total investment volume of more than 450 million dollars

❗️Friends, if you need something from the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Georgia, have urgent questions or need any help, you can always write in person to @nlevshits
🛫At the moment, there may be a delay or cancellation of flights from Georgia to Kazakhstan.

🎧 Night clubs in Georgia were allowed to work.
After a month of protests, disputes and negotiations, the rules for the activities of electronic music institutions were worked out. The government has already included them in the list of permitted activities.
The list of rules for visitors and employees is written on several pages. Read more, who is interested, here.
The most important thing:
📍 only holders of a "green passport" + an identity card will be allowed to the facilities
📍 the capacity of establishments is limited to 60%
📍 entrepreneurs are obliged to provide high-quality ventilation and cleaning of premises
📍 ensure the purchase of tickets online, and if purchased on the spot, the visitor is obliged to be outside the building, in an open space.

↔️🇰🇿 Georgia - Kazakhstan.
The Embassy of Georgia in Kazakhstan has opened a hotline: citizens can call +7(717)2243258
If you or your friends from Kazakhstan urgently need something in Georgia, then the embassy phone number is +995322552000 or write down my number +995555664422 , I will try to help. There are people who are ready to provide support in Tbilisi and Batumi.
❗️Meanwhile, eyewitnesses and my friends report street fighting in Almaty, there are dozens of dead and wounded.

🦠 06.01. Coronavirus statistics in Georgia per day:
Tests carried out - 41236.
The incidence rate is 8.65% (+0.14%)
+3567 infected
+2105 recovered
+47 died
+7867 vaccinations
❗️At the moment, 253 cases of a new strain of omicron have been registered in the country. The head of the Center for Disease Control, Amiran Gamkrelidze, said that its internal spread has begun and predicts an increase in the number of new infected.

🛫🇬🇪 Flights from Kazakhstan to Georgia have been suspended.
Two flights were supposed to be completed yesterday, but they did not take place due to the ongoing protests in the country. The timetable for the resumption of flights is unclear at this stage.

☦️ On the night of Christmas from January 6-7, festive divine services are held in Orthodox churches in Georgia.
Most of the inhabitants of the country are Orthodox Christians, so this holiday is especially revered — it is a day of joy, family and friends. Every Christmas, Catholicos Elijah II holds a festive liturgy in the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity. Special services are held in all churches of Georgia, where you can easily hear Christmas carols. Legend has it that it is on these days that Tovlis Babua ("Grandfather Snow") descends from the Caucasus Mountains, delivering sweets and treats to all children.
❗️ In churches and temples, a "green passport" and tests are not needed. Transport in Tbilisi today will work until three o'clock in the morning, and from 00.00 to 03.00 travel will be free.

🛫🇰🇿 🚫 All flights from Georgia to Kazakhstan and back for today and tomorrow have been canceled.
Airlines do not give official information when air traffic will be resumed.
❗️There are about 100 people at the Kutaisi airport for the second day. The problem is compounded by the fact that many bank cards do not work. I am in touch and will definitely write as soon as there are any news.
☎️ If you or your friends need help, my number is +995555664422
ℹ️ If anyone needs housing near Kutaisi, write to @grafinya_giorgia
📲 Mutual Help Chat:
https://news.1rj.ru/str/helpgeorgia

🇬🇪🛫🇰🇿 Update on the situation with Georgia-Kazakhstan flights.
At the moment, the air service is closed. I am in touch with all the airlines: Flyarystan, SCAT and Air Astana do not know when they will be able to resume flights between the countries. Everything will depend on the situation at the airports and the orders of the Government of Kazakhstan. At the moment, the direction to Georgia is closed: flights are canceled. It is unknown when they will resume.
If you or your friends need help, write to @nlevshits.
There are already organized groups of volunteers who help those in need. At the moment, there are about 500 tourists from Kazakhstan in Georgia.
❓ What should you do if you or your friends have a flight tomorrow or in the next few days? Arrive and wait for cancellation or rebook for later dates.

🇬🇪 The Consul of Kazakhstan in Georgia, Georgy Jakhutashvili, is distributing a statement.
The report presents a list of hotels that offer accommodation to Kazakhstani citizens staying in Georgia due to the cancellation of flights at a reduced price.
The list includes hotels in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi. Those who have their cards blocked will be able to pay later.
The full list is here.
❗️ As before, there is no official information when air traffic between the countries will be resumed.

🦠 07.01. Coronavirus statistics in Georgia per day:
Tests carried out - 41236.
The incidence rate is 9.41% (+0.76%)
+4234 infected
+1727 recovered
+46 died
+7699 vaccinations
❗️ The head of the Center for Disease Control, Amiran Gamkrelidze, said that a sharp increase in the number of new cases is predicted. And he said that at the moment, out of 335 patients in the country with a new strain of omicron, only 5 citizens needed hospitalization.

🦠Over the past 24 hours, the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of the omicron strain in Georgia has increased from 335 to 600.
Epidemiologists warn that in reality there are 4-5 times more such cases and remind of strict compliance with the rules. In their opinion, the second half of January in the country will be very difficult

🛫🇰🇿 Flights Georgia-Kazakhstan on 07.01. officially canceled.
Flights from Tbilisi to Almaty and Aktau were to take place. FlyArystan together with AirAstana also canceled flights from Kutaisi.
❗️ Airlines cannot give an exact date for the resumption of flights. Almaty airport is definitely closed until 09.01.
ℹ️ More than 1,000 citizens of Kazakhstan remain in Georgia. Chats in WhatsApp and telegram have been created to coordinate them.

🇰🇿 Rompetrol Georgia will provide support to citizens of Kazakhstan who have found themselves due to the cancellation of flights in Georgia.
According to the company's statement posted on the official Facebook page, assistance will be provided with accommodation, meals and transfers.
❗️ If you know citizens of Kazakhstan who are in Georgia, or you are one of them, please contact by phone: +995577710750

🛫🇰🇿 Resumption of flights between Georgia and Kazakhstan.
📍 FlyAristan Airline confirms the information that flight 08.01. will take place
📍The Commandant's office of the Mangystau region and the director of the airport confirmed the information that from 08.01. the international air service of the Aktau airport is resumed
ℹ️ For tickets and transportation, contact the embassy and airlines
❗️At the moment, there are about 700 tourists from Kazakhstan in Georgia, whose flights were canceled due to the state of emergency and have not taken off since January 4.

🦠 08.01. Coronavirus statistics in Georgia per day:
Tests carried out - 27539.
The incidence rate is 9.52% (+0.11%)
+2622 infected
+1126 recovered
+28 died
+7699 vaccinations
❗️The head of the Center for Disease Control, Amiran Gamkrelidze, said that omicron spreads 3-4 times faster than other strains of coronavirus, and people who were sick earlier are infected again. Also, previously vaccinated people often get sick.

🛫🇬🇪 The Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Batumi flew over the city for an hour, but could not land and flew to Trabzon, where it had already landed.
The airport and representatives of the company have not yet commented on the situation.

📊 According to the annual report of Freedom House, the level of democracy in Georgia has deteriorated in 2021.
This indicator is 36.31% (-1.69%) out of 100. As a result, Georgia falls into the category of "transitional or hybrid regime".
📉The indicators of the overall freedom rating and the media freedom rating have also deteriorated.
📈 However, the level of Internet freedom has increased.

🎿🇬🇪 The state of ski resorts in Georgia on 08.01.22
For numerous reasons, once every couple of weeks I will do an update of news on highways, cable cars, snow.
📍GUDAURI: The road to the resort is good. The tracks themselves are already a bit in the sand. Equipment rental is available. Bars and cafes are open.
📍GODERZI: The road is still in terrible condition. Getting there takes 4-6 hours. There is a lot of snow in the resort itself. The cable cars are working.
📍BAKURIANI: The road is convenient. There are minibuses from Borjomi. There is snow, but not much, sand has also appeared. There are few good trails. One track. Lots of people. It is more suitable for a relaxing holiday with children. There is little rental of accessories.
📍MESTIA: The road is generally good. There is a lot of snow on the highways. New cable cars and cabins. There have been no problems with electricity in the last three days. You can fly on Vanilla Sky planes there.
❗️If you have something to add or consider it important, please write in the comments.