Georgia loses $588 mln due to pandemic

Georgia suffered damage worth more than 1.8 billion lari ($588 million) due to the coronavirus pandemic, said the country's Deputy Finance Minister Giorgi Kakauridze.

"The pandemic caused the largest loss to the tax revenues," he said.

The deputy minister noted that Georgia state budget for 2020 declined by 800 million lari ($ 261 mln) due to the coronavirus.

Georgia has detected a total of 879 cases and 14 related deaths.

Today, the country confirmed no new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours for the first time since February 26, when it revealed the first case.

From June 1, Georgia relaxed some restrictions, allowing only outdoor restaurants to reopen. Large shopping centers are due to open from that date. The country allowed the operation of intercity transport from June 8. Moreover, with few exceptions, Georgia will remain closed to foreign travelers until at least July 1.