2020-03-12
"As you know, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. Over the past few weeks, Georgia's Coordination Council has been working actively in line with the WHO recommendations on coronavirus pandemic readiness. Given the dire global statistics, we may say that we have been relatively successful in dealing with this challenge, though it is in no wise reason enough for slacking or complacency," Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated during today's Government meeting.
According to the Prime Minister, all government structures are put on red alert within 24 hours.
"Apparently, these challenges are growing on a daily basis, and we are therefore obligated to be ready to rise to these challenges. All government structures will be put on red alert within 24 hours, especially the Ministries of Health, Interior, Education, and Justice, and relevant units at the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance, those operating on Georgia's borders. We must understand that we presently we have 24 infected persons, and the Health Ministry is implementing relevant protocol measures to treat them, though we must also identify all Georgian citizens who have had contact with the infected-and necessary preventive measures are in full swing. I emphasize that it is no time to panic but to join forces and act effectively," the Prime Minister underlined.
According to Giorgi Gakharia, citizens returning from Germany, France, Austria, and Spain will be placed under 14-day quarantine, effective immediately.
"We have already imposed certain restrictions on persons arriving from China, Iran, South Korea, and Italy. And now Germany, France, Austria, and Spain are added to that list," the Prime Minister said.
According to the Head of Government, it means that all Georgian citizens returning from said countries will be placed under 14-day quarantine.
"Foreign nationals are obligated either to produce a medical report confirming negative testing on coronavirus or consent to 14-day quarantine. In addition, all Georgian citizens are advised to avoid traveling abroad in the next few months. It is a very important recommendation, and I hope that our citizens, in fulfilling their civic responsibilities, will follow this recommendation," Giorgi Gakharia added.
According to the Prime Minister, another important recommendation from WHO is to avoid indoor and crowded spaces, and it is in line with this recommendation that the Georgian Government has decided to extend school break to April 1. In addition, the Georgian Armed Forces spring conscription has been suspended until April 13.
"The Georgian Government and all state institutions are advised to switch remote work-maximally, as much as it is possible-and all employees, whose are not necessarily obligated to report to their workplaces must be allowed to work remotely. A similar recommendation is given to all private structures. Of course, we must ensure against this step from disrupting the effective work of the Government and state institutions," Giorgi Gakharia pointed out.
Also, the Head of Government instructed the Interior Ministry to join efforts with the Health Ministry in order to ensure effective control over the enforcement of self-isolation rules.
"We all understand that those who may be virus carriers have certain obligations to each citizen of our country, and the observance of self-isolation rules is the most crucial component of our civic responsibilities today." Giorgi Gakharia stated.
According to the Head of Government, the observance of self-isolation rules has been a most difficult challenge encountered by the Coordination Council so far.
"I urge our citizens in self-isolation to be scrupulous in following relevant instructions. I also instruct the Interior Ministry to join forces with the Health Ministry in order to ensure effective control over the enforcement of self-isolation rules by said persons, as prescribed by the Health Ministry," the Prime Minister said.
The Head of Government also instructed the Cabinet's economic team to produce a concrete economic stimulus plan by the end of the day.
Georgia must do everything, Giorgi Gakharia added, to rise to these challenges effectively, challenges that may threaten the country's economy due to the spread of coronavirus.
"Firstly, it is our challenge and duty to care for the health of our citizens. At the same time, however, we all understand that caring for our country's further economic development is also a priority, and we must do everything to be effective in rising to challenges that may threaten our economy due to the spread of the virus. Consequently, our economic team is instructed to produce a concrete economic stimulus plan by the end of the day which will be put in action tomorrow. It is very important, because we all understand that we are responsible to our citizens and, equally, we it is our duty to ensure the country's further development. We understand that it is a global challenge, though temporary. We must do everything to make sure that Georgia emerges as one of the most effective in responding to this global challenge," Giorgi Gakharia stated.
Press Service of the Government Administration