2020-03-17
"We have good news. The first recovered patient has been discharged from the hospital. Though presently in self-isolation, the patient is no longer in the medical institution. It is the first case of recovery, for which we must thank our medical sector's personnel. That, however, does not mean that we can relax now. On the contrary, we can state assuredly that, even though the Council and the Government have been effectively working toward stopping and ensuring against the virus's import in the past weeks, today we are actually entering a phase of spreading, which means that the number of confirmed cases will increase. That is an objective reality. And that is something we should discuss openly," Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated at the Government Administration, after today's regular meeting of the Interagency Coordination Council for Preventing Coronavirus Spread.
According to the Head of Government, switching from containment to the spreading stage requires changes in situation management and approaches.
"This transition is very important, and we must be ready for it, notably the healthcare system. The readiness of the healthcare system means that it is fully prepared to serve growing numbers of patients. Relevant instructions were given today. The healthcare system is currently up to the task of rising to these challenges.
In addition, you all know that we have been effective in enforcing restrictions at the initial stage of the process management against the virus, including in relation to educational institutions, shopping facilities, restaurants, and others, also streamlined management in penitentiaries, switchover to remote work, and restrictions on reporting to the office. Much has been done, though challenges keep growing, so the response of the Government will be unyielding," the Prime Minister stated.
According to Gakharia, restrictions may cause discomfort in some, but we all must understand that the health of citizens is of critical importance.
The Prime Minister added that, effective tomorrow, routed taxicabs will be cancelled as one the most likely virus hotbeds.
"That is why we made a decision to cancel routed taxicabs, effective tomorrow. Accordingly, only municipal transport and subway will operate, and they have been instructed and obligated to disinfect means of transport on a daily basis. That means that we can manage risks in this department," Giorgi Gakharia said.
According to the Head of Government, the operations of sports arenas and spa centers will be restricted.
"Today, relevant institutions were instructed to control the fulfillment of governmental decisions. Similar control mechanisms will be created in each Ministry to enable us to be adequate in responding to these challenges," Giorgi Gakharia emphasized.
According to the Prime Minister, the Georgian Government is committed, wherever it is possible, to helping citizens living in the occupied territories in dealing with this global challenge.
Unfortunately, the Government is limited in its ability to provide citizens in the occupied territories with the same necessary assistance as enjoyed by other Georgian citizens, the Head of Government added.
"Nonetheless, we are committed, wherever it is possible, to provide full assistance to citizens living in the occupied territories in order to enable them to rise up to this global challenge," Giorgi Gakharia stated.
According to the Prime Minister, the Government cannot deal with this global challenge alone, so the civic conscience and responsibility of each citizen is of crucial importance.
"We must understand that the Government's resources are limited, and the Government cannot deal with this global challenge alone, so the civic conscience and responsibility of each citizen is of crucial importance," Giorgi Gakharia pointed out.
On the Prime Minister's instructions, a special mechanism will be put in place to meet the everyday needs of risk groups.
"It is a government recommendation that citizens aged over 70 - each and every one of them - must stay in self-isolation. It is of critical importance and we should all understand that it is our duty - duty to be shared by each citizen. To find the best solution to the issue, Ministry of Economy of Georgia and National Mail Service have been instructed together with Ministry of Health to create a mechanism and offer essential routine services to the socially vulnerable and pensioners aged over 70 ". It was announced by Giorgi Gakharia, Prime Minister of Georgia at the Press Briefing held after the Inter-Agency Coordination Council Meeting of the Government of Georgia held today at the Government Administration.
According to the Head of Government of Georgia, civil conscious and responsibility of each individual citizen is of great importance.
"We should all understand that government resources are limited and it is impossible to have only the government respond to this global challenge. Civil conscious and responsibility of each individual citizen is of great importance. Obviously, we should all understand that elderly should be our prime focus of care. It is of critical importance, especially citizens aged over 70" concluded the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Press Service of the Government Administration