2020-07-23

Unfortunately, there is a sharp increase in the number of infections in the country, which is extremely significant. We need to be extremely attentive, even though we are in control of the situation, as well as the speed of the spread of the virus. Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia made this statement during the session of the government, which took place today.
The first issue that the prime minister addressed was the epidemiological situation in the country. According to the head of the government, each and every one of our citizens must be extremely attentive in order to retain the relative success that the country enjoys today in terms of managing the virus.

"Today, we have to begin by once again talking about the epidemiological situation. As you know, there were 24 cases of infection yesterday and 12 more today; unfortunately, there has been a sharp increase in the number of infections in recent days in the country, which is extremely significant. Of course, we need to be extremely attentive, even though we are in control of the situation, as well as the speed of the spread of the virus. The fact that the spread of the virus is chiefly concentrated in several villages of Gardabani Municipality is particularly significant, especially given that the social structure of these villages is such that many of our citizens from these villages work in markets and open-air markets in Tbilisi and the country in general. Therefore, the corresponding decision to tighten control over markets and open-air markets has already been made. This will consist of thermal screening and selective testing, while also carrying out active testing in these villages. It is noteworthy that the headquarters has received instructions whereby in the event of the further aggravation of the situation, we must be able to quickly tighten quarantine measures at specific locations, and we must be prepared for that as well," the head of the government noted.

According to Giorgi Gakharia, the correct and effective management of the virus and the rapid recovery of the economy are two interrelated issues and it is impossible to achieve success in these fields without doing so in both of them.
"Once we have gradually and carefully lifted the restrictions aimed at [preventing] the spread of the virus in order to revive economic life in the country, each and every one of our citizens must nevertheless be as attentive as possible in order to retain the relative success that the country enjoys today in terms of managing the virus. We must all remember that the correct and effective management of the virus and the rapid recovery of the economy are two directly related issues - it is impossible to achieve success in these fields without doing so in both of them, and we must all take this into account," the prime minister stated.
Giorgi Gakharia responded to the case of the death of Tamar Bachaliashvili. He expressed his condolences to the members of her family and noted that this tragedy transcends the family, becoming a tragedy for the country. The prime minister instructed the Ministry of Internal Affairs to inform citizens proactively.

"I must respond to the tragic event that took place in our country several days ago. Of course, the death of a young girl in uncertain circumstances is an extremely grave occurrence. First of all, I would like to express my condolences to the members of her family; however, this tragedy transcends the family, becoming a tragedy for the country and, correspondingly, we must all remember that first and foremost, we must safeguard the family and approach such tragic cases with greater responsibility.
As regards the direction of the investigation, I would like to instruct the Ministry of Internal Affairs once again to provide citizens with information proactively. This is extremely important in order to ensure that no room is left that could be used by some for the purpose of speculation. Of course, first of all, a quick and effective investigation [is needed] but at the same time, the proactive provision of information, first of all to the family, and then to the public, is of paramount importance today," Giorgi Gakharia stated.
The head of the government also called on investigative bodies to be proactive in sharing information with citizens to ensure that no room is left for interpretation.

"We are all well aware of the problems related to investigation in the country. We all understand that this is precisely why reforms and the systemic renewal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have begun, and these steps are of extreme importance for the country, as well as for the ordinary, conscientious police officers who conscientiously perform their duties on a daily basis. This must be taken into account by all of us, primarily by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I would like to call on each investigative body to be proactive in sharing information with our citizens, so as not to leave any room for interpretation. We do not need this today because it is very important to conduct a quick and effective investigation and to ensure that the citizens are informed," Giorgi Gakharia stated.
During the session of the government, the prime minister discussed the importance of having a modern, effective infectious diseases clinic in the country and noted that the allocation of 40 million GEL to the Infectious Diseases Hospital, the main purpose of which will be either to build a building or to purchase one, will be discussed during the session of the government.
"Of course, given the current perspective on risks and the spread of the epidemic, it is extremely important for a modern, effective infectious diseases clinic to operate in the country. For this purpose, we will make a decision during today's session of the government to allocate up to 40 million GEL to the Infectious Diseases Hospital, the main purpose of which will be to either build a building or to purchase one, which would be a quicker and more effective decision," Giorgi Gakharia stated.

The prime minister stressed that the government must resolve this problem in the nearest future.
"For decades, the Tbilisi Infectious Diseases Clinic has been operating in a dilapidated building. I saw this with my own eyes when I visited the clinic, and this was also the subject of active discussions during several meetings with the Ministry of Healthcare. We, together with the ministries, tried to find a quick solution. As you know, this is especially relevant in terms of managing the epidemic. The clinical group led by Mr. Tengiz Tsertsvadze was extremely effective. Not only did this group manage the clinical situation in Georgia but, in some cases, it also advised our partners," the head of the government noted.
The prime minister also discussed the provision of Internet access to 49 villages in Ozurgeti District, noting that ensuring the availability of high-quality Internet access in every Georgian village is an extremely important objective that must be achieved quickly.
"The next issue that we will discuss today concerns the provision of Internet access to 49 villages in Ozurgeti District. This means providing high-quality Internet access. This is yet another, extremely important challenge that the epidemic and the crisis have shown us. High quality Internet access in every Georgian village - this is an extremely important objective that must be achieved quickly. This is simply a necessity of daily life in order for farmers to work normally, for our children to get a normal education, and to bring the regular standard of living that exists in cities to the countryside," Giorgi Gakharia stated.

Press Service of the Government Administration