2020-08-19
Quarantine restrictions will be lifted in all villages and settlements of Mestia Municipality except for the town of Mestia and the village of Lenjeri. This decision was made during today's session of the Interagency Coordination Council, which operates under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
It was noted during the session that effective and timely measures have been implemented in Mestia Municipality since the imposition of the restrictions, including the intensive testing of the population. As a result, it can be said that the epidemiological situation on the ground is under control. Considering ongoing epidemiological studies, quarantine restrictions will be temporarily maintained in the town of Mestia and the village of Lenjeri, though this decision will be revised in accordance with the epidemiological situation.
The head of the National Center for Disease Control noted during the session of the council that at the moment, four epidemiological points of interest remain in Georgia: Mestia, Kazbegi Municipality, Kobuleti, and Gardabani-Karajalari. According to Amiran Gamkrelidze, a total of 3,509 people have been examined in Mestia Municipality, and 1,246 citizens with a history of traveling to Mestia during the last two weeks were additionally tested. Of them, a total of 49 persons tested positive for the coronavirus. The Interagency Coordination Council thanked citizens for the high degree of social responsibility demonstrated by them, as well as for their cooperation with public healthcare specialists.
As regards Kazbegi Municipality, the number of detected cases of infection has not increased.
The situation at Georgian resorts, especially those on the Black Sea coast, was also discussed during today's session of the Interagency Coordination Council. Considering the large concentration of vacationers at those resorts, it was decided to implement preventive measures. Namely, in order to prevent the spread of the virus, the circle of persons subjected to targeted testing has been expanded to include the staff of the facilities where mobility is particularly high, such as cafes, restaurants, and clubs.
According to the National Center for Disease Control, at present, the source of infection is unknown for 10 people. Therefore, the Interagency Coordination Council urges citizens to exercise maximum caution, wear face masks, and maintain social distance.
The head of the National Tourism Administration presented statistical data on the number of people entering Georgia, including from European countries with which our country has open air borders on a reciprocal basis. According to Mariam Kvrivishvili, 1,236 people arrived in Georgia from 22 July to 15 August via 14 flights from countries with which Georgia has open air borders on a reciprocal basis. This amounts to 56 percent of the total passenger flow. She explained that the number of foreign citizens entering Georgia for the purpose of tourism is on the rise, which is to be welcomed. At the same time, passengers are being tested at the airport on a random basis, though no one has tested positive so far.
As of today, 1,361 laboratory-confirmed cases of coronavirus infection have been detected in Georgia, of which 1,098 persons have already recovered. Forty-one Georgian citizens have been repatriated from foreign countries for treatment. Seventeen persons have died.
At this stage, 6,903 persons are in quarantine, while 278 persons are hospitalized under medical observation.
The Parliament of Georgia, headed by Chairman Archil Talakvadze, and the Administration of the President are actively involved in the work carried out by the Interagency Coordination Council, which operates under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
Press Service of the Government Administration