2020-03-19
Today, the Interagency Coordination Council on Coronavirus held a meeting under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister at the Government Administration.
As it was emphasized during the meeting, the country is entering the phase of the virus's spread, which means that the number of coronavirus-infected persons will increase. Consequently, the Government and the healthcare sector must do everything to contain the virus as effectively as possible.
The Coordination Council meeting decided to adopt tighter safety measures and restrictions in the country.
On the Prime Minister's instructions, each Ministry and state institution, within its purview, will, by the end of the day, produce information on all possible restrictions that may be enforced in the nearest future.
It was emphasized specifically that it is not a state of emergency but only the adoption of tougher restrictions that serve the same goal of prevention.
The council's members briefed the Prime Minister on the situation with food supply and confirmed that there is enough supply of food in the country, and that there are no problems in this regard.
The meeting also issued recommendations for municipalities to suspend collecting rent on properties owned by them.
On the Prime Minister's instructions, local production of face masks and disinfectants has already started. The meeting underlined that the production of these goods on the ground allows for meeting the demand from those in the frontline of the fight against coronavirus, as well as from ordinary citizens.
The Health Ministry expresses full readiness to face possible complications. As the Health Minister stated during the meeting, hospital beds have already been allocated by the public sector, though there is also an agreement with the private sector to attract additional capacities that will enable the healthcare sector to assist more citizens.
The Prime Minister instructed the public sector further to limit the number of staff who are not required to report to work, and employees should request their staff to report to work only as a last resort.
To ensure coordinated measures, the Interagency Coordination Council continues its regular meetings under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister.
The Administration of the Georgian President and the relevant parliamentary committee are actively involved in the work of the council.
Press Service of the Government Administration