2020-06-15
Today, we adopted a decree defining indoor spaces requiring both visitors and staff to use facemasks, Head of the Government Administration Natia Mezvrishvili stated during the briefing following today's meeting of the Interagency Coordination Council.
She spoke about several important issues decided at today's meeting of the Interagency Coordination Council.
"On July 12, the Parliament adopted a decree on the rules for the use of facemasks in certain spaces like indoor public facilities and public transport. Based on this law, the Government of Georgia was expected to adopt a decree describing in detail rules for wearing facemasks. We adopted this decree today, and it defines indoor spaces requiring both visitors and staff to use facemasks. Certain exceptions are allowed for particular categories based on health conditions and age. Such persons will not be fined for failure to wear a mask," Natia Mezvrishvili stated.
According to the Head of the Administration of the Government, facemask use will be enforced by indoor facilities posing the highest risk of spreading the virus.
"In particular, facemasks will be mandatory in the front offices of public and private facilities, crowded spaces where contact between people is especially intense, also during meetings in public and private spaces wherever 2-meter distancing cannot be observed. For example, if 2-meter distancing cannot be ensured during the meetings of the Interagency Council, wearing facemasks will be mandatory. Speakers and presenters at such gatherings may remove their masks. For example, our briefing right now-we can maintain 2-meter distancing, which is why I have removed my mask. Masks will be mandatory when using elevators or visiting retail outlets, high-risk indoor facilities, also in beauty salons and aesthetic medicine centers, schools of general, vocational, and higher education-these also pose a high risk. Also, on public transport-something we have repeatedly discussed through both the Government's decree and the law which explicitly mentions public transport, including subway and taxis. Also, there is the Health Ministry's order defining recommendations for averting coronavirus in workplaces, and in these cases as well, where mostly economic activities are meant, facemasks will be mandatory," Natia Mezvrishvili emphasized.
The Head of the Administration of the Georgian Government also detailed exceptions to the facemask rules. She emphasized that said decisions take into account recommendations with relevant specialists.
"The obligation to use a mask does not apply to children under 6, to persons with respiratory issues, including chronic pulmonary diseases and bronchial asthma, also to persons with limited abilities, and certain other categories who, given their health conditions, cannot wear facemasks. All this will be detailed in the Government's decree. Facemasks will not be mandatory for the personnel of specialized facilities and their target groups, also when providing concrete social services, rehabilitation services such as speech therapy, for example," the Head of the Government's Administration said.
According to her, failure to comply with this mandatory requirement will result in sanctions against individuals and legal entities.
Natia Mezvrishvili also underlined the issue of testing and another decision made at today's meeting of the Interagency Coordination Council.
"This is something the state has been implementing in the first place, but now we are further expanding the scope of targeted testing and groups under growing risks, those who will be tested step by step, in stages, and the circle of persons to be tested will keep expanding," Natia Mezvrishvili said.
She also emphasized the reopening of domestic tourism, emphasizing that the state has been actively cooperating with the industry's specialists on ensuring maximal compliance with safety rules immediately upon the resumption of domestic tourism.
The Head of the Government's Administration also said that the lockdown of the village of Geta, Bolnisi Municipality will be lifted today.
"An equally important decision relates to the village of Geta, Bolnisi Municipality under strict lockdown. Today, this strict lockdown will be lifted," the Head of the Government's Administration stated.
Natia Mezvrishvili also discussed the epidemiological situation and emphasized that the virus is still here.
"We have 879 confirmed cases, with 704 recoveries and, unfortunately, 14 deaths. As you can tell, the virus is still here, which is why we want to urge the public once again to be extra watchful and use the opportunities available after the state's lifting of restrictions only for essential needs. Be watchful," the Head of the Government's Administration added.
Press Service of the Government Administration