Owing to the decision of the Interagency Council, from March 1, public and private pre-school institutions will resume their work throughout Georgia. A safe environment will be provided for the children in kindergartens. The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli spoke about the decision, during a briefing held at the Government Administration after the end of the Coordination Council.

To further prevent the spread of Covid-19, according to the decision of the Coordinating Council, 20% of educators and administration representatives will start mandatory testing in public and private preschools throughout Georgia once every two weeks.

As for higher education institutions and vocational schools, the restoration of their educational activities is divided into 2 crucial stages. From March 1, they will be authorized to conduct clinical, practical, laboratory components as well as non-distance format examinations. In the second phase, starting from March 15, higher education institutions and vocational colleges will be empowered to fully resume operations and resume the learning process in auditoriums. It should be noted that at both stages, the choice for universities and colleges is voluntary and they will make a specific decision individually in agreement with the Ministry.

Moreover, all higher education institutions and vocational schools are equipped with the necessary resources and inventory for the virus prevention. The Ministry will carry out systematic monitoring of the sanitary-hygienic condition. Protecting the safety of students, in conjunction with maintaining an uninterrupted flow of quality education is the main priority of the Ministry.

Furthermore, in accordance with the ruling of the Interagency Council, from March 1 onwards, museums and libraries will be opened throughout Georgia, given all the rules and regulations are followed.

The gradual, two-step restoration is also planned for theaters, professional ensembles, and sports clubs. From March 15 onwards, rehearsals and trainings can be resumed without any restrictions. Full resumption of activities, such as concerts, theatre performances and sports competitions in the presence of spectators will be possible from April 1, 2021.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli: “As you know, we have made several crucial decisions at the Interagency Council. I would like to state once again that in all measures it is extremely important that the medical protocol is strictly adhered to and that it will be so.

As for higher education institutions and colleges, here we have a process divided into 2 stages, namely, from March 1, higher education institutions and vocational colleges will be allowed to conduct clinical, practical, laboratory components and examinations in non-distance format. This is voluntary, specific decisions will be made individually by universities and vocational colleges in agreement with us.

As for the next stage, i.e., the full restoration of activities, higher education institutions and colleges are empowered to resume the rest of the academic process and allowing students in their auditoriums. Specific decisions will be made by universities and vocational colleges in agreement with the Ministry.

As for school art circles - the process will be fully restored by March 15th.

It is also important to restore the activities of museums and libraries, which will be resumed on March 1, in full compliance with the medical protocol.

"I want to ask the public once again that in order for us to carry out this plan, it is extremely important that every citizen strictly follows the medical protocol and maintains the sanitary norms."