Following the widespread of the new SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus, the World Health Organization de- clared January 30, 2020, an international public health emergency, and subsequently declared it a pandemic on March 11, 2020. As of January 19, 2022, more than 337 million cases of COVID-19 were reported worldwide, of which more than 5.5 million died. A new mutation in the coronavirus in the form of omicron continues to grow at an unprecedented rate on a daily basis, exacerbating the glob- al health crisis.

The separation and social distancing required to contain the spread of COVID-19 has hit margin- alized groups the hardest, such as homeless people, sex workers, LGBTI people, people who use drugs, ethnic minorities, and prisoners1. It should be noted that in Georgia, like in other countries worldwide, the lockdowns and social distancing has greatly affected the personal well-being and mental health of many people affected by HIV, including representatives of Key Populations (KP). Access to testing and face-to-face consultations has been significantly reduced. For chronic infec- tions such as HIV and viral hepatitis, delayed diagnosis and treatment may result in further long-term consequences including sequelae for individual patients2,3. The socio-economic impacts such as loss of income and increased threat of domestic violence has created a situation characterized by fear and uncertainty for vulnerable populations. There is emerging evidence that COVID-19 has ex- posed stark inequities that exist in access to health and support services for marginalized people4, including HIV key and vulnerable populations. The economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are affecting many HIV communities, many of which work in the informal economy and cannot claim for income support due to the lack of formal evidence of job loss. As a result, individuals are facing housing losses, and numerous co-occurring effects on mental health and an increase of violence. Psychosocial and welfare support is urgently needed.