"The information that Rikoti is closed is incorrect. Rikoti has a special mode of movement. In particular, light vehicles move from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, and from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am – is movement of trailers and semi-trailers," said Giorgi Tsereteli, Chairman of the Roads Department of Georgia, from the disaster zone of Racha, speaking to the media.

According to Giorgi Tsereteli, the information that the Rikoti Pass is closed is incorrect. A special mode of movement of vehicles has been established on the road section of Rikoti.

"On the 149th km of the road, after the snow melted, cracks were discovered 200 meters above the existing (old) road. Development of landslide processes was possible. Therefore, we made a decision to temporarily close the Rikoti pass. We widened the road, expanded the buffer zone, and then established a special traffic regime to ensure safety. Today, this regime is as follows - from 6 am to 9 pm, light vehicles move, and from 11 pm to 5 am is movement of trailers and semi-trailers," said Giorgi Tsereteli.