2021-01-26
Since imposing targeted COVID restrictions in the country, the number of test-positive cases has been consistently declining. It was stated by Giorgi Gakharia, Prime Minister of Georgia at a meeting of the Inter-Agency Coordination Council today.
As noted by the Head of Government of Georgia, over 5000 test-positive cases were detected when the targeted COVID restrictions were imposed and the Ministry of Health managed the flow and medical treatment of over 30 000 infected individuals and 7000 COVID patients a day in the hospital care.
"We launched these targeted COVID restrictions on November 28 and please do not forget that over 5000 test-positive cases were detected at that time. We need to agree that when a country has 5000-6000 cases a day, it is irrelevant to talk about a normal functioning of the economy. Therefore, we need to be consistent in everything. For instance, when people request various sectors and segments of the economy to be reopened or when public transport is requested to resume nation-wide, while having the community transfer rate much higher in certain municipalities e.g. Tbilisi than in Adjara, we need to simply understand what is at stake. Community transfer rate may rise quickly and require immediate restrictions. That is why we all need to agree on one thing. If a complete management of the viral spread is not ultimately achieved, any talk about normal economic performance is nothing more than a mere gossip or wishes that are not grounded on any scientifically justified arguments. Test-positive indicators are justified arguments for us. If a community transfer rate is above 4%, it is irrelevant to talk about normal functioning of the country. Same applies to the economy, as the risk of a quick community transfer rate is very high" stated Giorgi Gakharia.
As mentioned by the Head of Government of Georgia, everything should be consistent, by striking a balance and moving forward step by step to ultimately reopen the economy in an efficient manner.
"Good results are witnessed in Adjara and other cities, except for some towns with still high test-positive indicators. We reopened the economy there, including the retail trade, education and municipal transport. If we are not similarly consistent and talk only about wishes, we will only harm the economy and no other results will be attained. We need to understand this well, when we make decisions. Positive outcome of our measures is what matters and it needs to drop under 4% in the country, all over the regions and cities. Of course, we will thus be able to accelerate the implementation of the presented Plan of Economic Recovery. For instance, if the community transfer rate will drop under 4% in the coming week, we will be able to talk about a sooner resumption of municipal transport in the capital city and reopening of those economic sectors that will be permitted by the epidemic situation. Hence, linkages between causes and results are most important and it should all be consistent, balanced and gradual. Our ultimate goal is of course a quick economic reopening through a balanced approach" noted Giorgi Gakharia.
The Head of Government of Georgia also stated that Maya Tskitishvili, Deputy Prime Minister will be instructed together with the Ministry of Economy today to hold meetings with representatives of critically important economic sectors in the nearest future to seek agreement on the Plan of Economic Recovery.
The Prime Minister of Georgia stressed that everything should be done to resume tourism in summer.
"You may well be aware that we do not intend to continue with a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), thus being able to resume international air flights. At the same time, everyone should understand it well that we should all together do our best in a consistent manner to safeguard and resume the tourism in summer.
We all see what is happening at ski resorts. This is most saddening. We all understand it well that it is very hard on the sector of tourism and people that have businesses in Gudauri, Bakuriani, Mestia or Goderdzi. Current situation there has been conditioned by our intention to ultimately make the sector sustainable in the long-run by pursuing consistent economic recovery policy, avoiding short-term impulsive decisions. By doing so, we are safeguarding those economic opportunities that will lead to a quick recovery for summer. This approach is grounded on a new scheme of testing and active advancement towards this end in the first instance, as well as vaccination opportunities not only in Georgia, but globally" noted Giorgi Gakharia.
The Prime Minister of Georgia also stated that the country has a small, but profoundly open economy, thereby being an integral part of the global economy and no single country on its own may cope with this economic crisis.
"We all need to make sure that effective and efficient use is demonstrated towards opportunities arising in the nearest future by an accurate management of the epidemic and slow down of the community transfer rate in the first instance, followed by vaccination opportunities. We all need to be united in this effort. Natia Turnava, Maya Tskitishvili, Ekaterine Tikaradze and other colleagues will start holding a series of meetings with representatives of the tourism sector to make sure that protocols get agreed on the operation of this sector, along with stages and linkages between casualties and results of our efforts directly related to the community transfer rate" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.
According to the Head of Government of Georgia, the next most important step to be made by the Government of Georgia is to reopen schools and especially the primary segment of education.
"We very well all understand what it means for school children and their parents to stay home for a long time, having no physical presence at schools. Here as well, as soon as the community transfer rate will drop under 4%, we will do our best to quickly resume the most important medium for our children - schooling" noted Giorgi Gakharia.
Press Service of the Government Administration