Government of Georgia – News

Irakli Chikovani: The Situation in Marneuli and Bolnisi at the Moment is Calm; I Would Like To Thank Our Citizens Living in These Municipalities on Behalf of the Government Print Version

2020-03-25

Another session of the Coordination Council took place under the leadership of Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia. The situation in the country in terms of the fight against the coronavirus was discussed and the current situation in Bolnisi and Marneuli Municipalities, where special quarantine measures are in place, was stressed - stated Prime Minister's Press Speaker Irakli Chikovani after the session of the Interagency Coordination Council on the coronavirus.

According to him, the situation in Marneuli and Bolnisi at the moment is calm, and the public is fully informed.

"It has been 48 hours since the announcement of the quarantine in Marneuli and Bolnisi. There were some difficulties at first with regard to providing the population with information; however, this has been resolved as of today. Both law enforcement representatives as well as military servicemen worked very effectively. Isolation has been fully ensured and citizens and the public are fully informed. The situation in both municipalities is calm. Our citizens are treating the current situation in Marneuli and Bolnisi calmly; I would like to thank them on behalf of the government as these restrictions and measures are essential for each and every one of them, as well as for the entire population of Georgia," Irakli Chikovani stated.

He also discussed nationwide coronavirus statistics.

"As of today, 73 persons have been infected with the coronavirus in the country. Ten of them have recovered, 258 remain hospitalized under medical observation, and over 4,000 persons are in quarantine," the prime minister's press speaker stated.

According to him, the testing of Marneuli and Bolnisi has begun. Irakli Chikovani stated that groups that are staffed by local self-governance representatives and medics have already been able to visit more than 20,000 people.

"They are being asked certain questions, their temperatures are being taken. Measures envisaged by other medical protocols are also being implemented. Only 25 out of the 20,000 people were found to have had a fever, of whom only two were significant and correspondingly, they were hospitalized in Marneuli," the prime minister's advisor stated.

According to Irakli Chikovani, there is complete mutual understanding within the public in connection with the current situation. He noted that there are no supply problems, and although initially there may have been some issues in some small village stores, they have also been resolved by now.

The prime minister's advisor thanked all volunteers who are actively involved in the fight against the coronavirus. According to him, residents of the municipalities of Bolnisi and Marneuli are being provided with provisions and other essential items with the help of the volunteers.

"Every person in the municipalities of Bolnisi and Marneuli who needs to receive provisions or any other supplies on location is receiving provisions as well as other essential items with the help of volunteers," Irakli Chikovani noted.

According to him, today, the minister of agriculture will visit Marneuli and Bolnisi regions, as per the prime minister's instruction.

Irakli Chikovani stated that the minister of agriculture will assess the situation in order to resolve any problems that may exist on the spot and to ensure the full elimination of any and all types of supply issues.

The prime minister's advisor also noted that disinfection activities will start in Marneuli and Bolnisi today.

"Starting today, special equipment of the Ministry of Agriculture will begin disinfection activities, and the streets of Marneuli and Bolnisi, as well as the locations that feature a high concentration of people, will be disinfected," Irakli Chikovani stated.

The prime minister's advisor noted that the Stopcov.ge website has already started to operate in the Azerbaijani language, and the Armenian language version will also be launched within several days, in order to ensure that the citizens of Georgia who speak Azerbaijani and Armenian languages are fully and comprehensively informed.

"The Stopcov.ge website is the best way to inform our citizens about the current situation, as well as to provide answers to all possible questions that might exist within the public. This website has already started to operate in the Azerbaijani language, and the Armenian language version will also be launched within several days, which will allow the full coverage of our citizens," Irakli Chikovani stated.

The prime minister's advisor also informed the public about the funds donated to the StopCoV Fund and noted that up to 6 million GEL have been accumulated in the StopCoV Fund during the past two days.

The prime minister's advisor thanked businesses for their social responsibility and their support.

"As you know, the StopCoV Fund, which is based on solidarity and was set up in cooperation with the business ombudsman, has begun to operate. This platform works very well as it unites the needs that exist and the capabilities that businesses possess, as well as their support, expressed in terms of social responsibility, for which we are very grateful," Irakli Chikovani stated.

Press Service of the Government Administration