Coordination Council has eased part of the COVID-related regulations, as a result, restaurants will open indoor space from March 1 in Batumi and from March 8 – in Tbilisi.

Restaurateur Levan Koiashvili declares that easing restrictions on indoor spaces when the curfew and restrictions over the weekends are in place does not mean much. Especially, if the total number of guests per square meter is more limited, only big restaurants will receive the decision on opening, their number is 15-20%.

“It is better than to be fully closed down, but the main challenge is the curfew and restrictions over the weekends. Shifting the curfew until 23:00 or its removal is the most crucial for a restaurant business because the main income comes from weekends when people are off work or in the evenings when they visit the restaurant after work.

One of the raised topics was an admission of one person to 5 square m. If they get this regulation, it will be a serious problem. Small restaurants will have no opportunity to open with such an approach. An individual approach is needed for each restaurant.

At this point, I do not think any of the restaurants will open. This will be about 15-20% of restaurants that have very large spaces. Small restaurants will not be opened under these regulations,” said Levan Kokiashvili.