The Public Defender’s Office has prepared a simplified version of the rule of wearing a mask approved by the Government Resolution No 368 and the Administrative Offences Code of Georgia.

1. What kind of masks can I wear?

Masks protect the respiratory system from droplets and particles. Masks may be medical and non-medical.

Medical masks are designed for medical workers. They filter at least 95% of droplets when used one-time.

Non-medical masks are made of various fabrics. They are used in daily life and protect us from the spread of infection from the infected persons. The filtration efficiency of non-medical masks of various fabrics ranges from 0.6% to 70%.

2. How should I wear a mask? Should it necessarily cover my nose?

Masks should completely cover the nose and mouth area and they should be fixed to the chin and nose.

3. Where is it necessary to wear a mask?

• In the reception of public and private institutions
• At meetings/assemblies when it is impossible to maintain a social distance of 2 meters
• In public elevators
• In shopping facilities
• In general education, vocational and higher education institutions
• In public transport and taxis

*Wearing a mask is also mandatory at various workplaces, in accordance with the recommendations approved by Order 101-227/O of the Minister of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia on May 29, 2020

* * It is allowed to use both medical and non-medical masks in closed space.

4. Who is not required to wear a mask?

• Representatives of the Defense Forces, law enforcers and staff of the penitentiary establishments, when performing their duties, if it is impossible to wear a mask and/or if they do not have direct contact with outsiders
• Persons performing professional duties, if it is not possible for them to wear a mask during performing those duties (including a speech therapist, a sign language interpreter)
• Children under the age of 6 years
• Persons who have difficulty wearing a mask due to health condition (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, cardiovascular disease caused by respiratory failure, mental disorder, autism spectrum disorder and/or developmental anomaly or defect), which is proved by a medical document
• Metro/railway drivers when performing their duties
• Persons in closed public space, if it is not possible for them to receive/use a service and wear a mask simultaneously.

When speaking at meetings/assemblies, speakers may not use a mask if they maintain a 2-meter social distancing.

5. If I cannot wear a mask due to my health condition, should I get a new document from a medical institution proving the above?

You do not need to consult a doctor to get a new document. You can use any type of medical document you already have, including a copy of the medical-social examination act, document on health condition (form №IV-100/a), etc.

6. What are the consequences of violating the rules of wearing a mask?

Pursuant to Article 42​¹¹ of the Administrative Offences Code of Georgia, a natural person shall be fined GEL 20 and a legal entity/individual entrepreneur shall be fined GEL 500.

7. Who is authorized to fine me?

• Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia
• Ministry of Finance of Georgia
• Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia
• Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia
• Municipalities