In pictures | Tbilisi in a state of emergency

The new restrictions on businesses and freedom of movement have left the streets of Tbilisi eerily empty.

In pictures | Tbilisi in a state of emergency

26 March 2020

On 21 March, Georgia declared a month-long state of emergency to counter the spread of the coronavirus. The new restrictions on businesses and freedom of movement have left the streets of Tbilisi eerily empty.

The measures include banning gatherings of 10 or more people and closing all non-essential places of trade, including bars, restaurants, and shops.

[Follow our live updates on the coronavirus in the Caucasus.]

Shops that have been allowed to stay open, including grocery stores, pharmacies, and banks, are obliged to prevent more than 10 people from standing together in a closed environment.

All intercity public transport, including railway travel, has been halted; all flights except for emergency flights to evacuate people have been grounded.

A car park for minibuses at Station Square. The government shut down inner-city minibuses on 19 March. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Car park near Station Square on 21 March. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Most places of business closed on 19 March. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Mobile phone stores near Station Square. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Empty stalls near the Station Square market. Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Empty stalls near the Station Square market. Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
The shopping area near the Station Square. Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
The shopping area near the Station Square. Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Most shops near Station Square have closed down. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Construction and infrastructure work still continues. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Construction on Kote Apkhazi Street on 24 March. Photo: Mariam Nikurade/OC Media.

The government banned intercity transport from 24 March. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
This included trains. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

There are now crowds at the shops, banks, ATMs, pharmacies as not more than 10 people are allowed in. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

The streets of Tbilisi started becoming emptier from the day the state of emergency was announced. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Tbilisi’s central Rustaveli Avenue. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Freedom Square on Tuesday around 17:00. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media

Touristic areas have become emptier than usual. This is the Metekhi Bridge in the historic old town on 21 March. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Freedom Square. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Kote Apkhazi Street: Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
The old town. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Rustaveli Street. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Europe Square. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
The Peace Bridge. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Shardeni Street. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Shuttered buissnesses in Tbilisi's Bambis Rigi Street. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Fabrika Hostel is closed. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
An empty skate park in Deda Ena Park. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Restaurants and shops on the New Aghmashenebli project are closed. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Worshippers, including young children, gathering inside Tbilisi’s Sioni Cathedral on 21 March despite a restriction on gatherings of 10 or more people. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Cafes and restaurants are closed too. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

They can offer only delivery. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

The Justice House remains open, but with strict measures on the number of people allowed in. Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani has called for people to go to the Justice House only when absolutely necessary. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Food trucks parked near the bazaar at Station Square. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Tbilisi City Hall started disinfecting streets on 25 March. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Crowded areas like bus stops and metro entrances will be sprayer over the coming days. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.
Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.