2021-01-13

The process of preparing for vaccination in Georgia, the readiness of businesses for the stage of lifting restrictions, and the epidemiological situation in the penitentiary system were discussed at today's meeting of the Interagency Coordination Council, chaired by Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, at the Administration of the Government.

The special COVID-vaccination commission, established on the Prime Minister's instructions, continues intensive work on both ensuring the vaccine's timely delivery and streamlining the country's relevant infrastructure. Notably, alongside the COVAX platform's confirmed readiness to supply Georgia's medical personnel with the initial batch of Pfizer vaccines, active negotiations continue with several manufacturers. The council reiterated that a given vaccine's prequalification by the World Health Organization and international recognition is the key precondition for its import into the country.

The Interagency Coordination Council also discussed the epidemiological situation in penitentiaries. According to the Justice Minister, the special penitentiary service started PCR testing among inmates late last year. January 3 tests confirm 23 cases in the women's penitentiary #5, followed by PCR tests administered elsewhere. In particular, 883 inmates were tested on January 11 at the Kutaisi penitentiary #2, with only 1 confirmed COVID case. On January 12, under the intensive PCR testing program, tests were administered at the Rustavi penitentiary #6, and results will be known in the near future.

The meeting underlined that the situation in the penitentiary system is fully under control, with complex preventive measures implemented to protect the system and timely identification and relevant treatment of cases identified through said measures.

The council also underlined that it is necessary for businesses to be ready for the next step of lifting restrictions, also receiving information on intensive meetings with economic entities held on the instructions of the Head of Government. Cooperation with the private sector continues for businesses to secure high standards of COVID safety in line with safety mechanisms and additional components developed specifically for virus prevention.

The Head of the National Center for Disease Control informed the council that more than 6,000 taxi drivers have been tested for coronavirus, with positive results amounting only to less than 1%. More than 2,000 clerics of various confessions have also been tested for coronavirus-again, positive results are below 1%. The number of tested flea market sellers has also increased, with positive results amounting to less than 1% of 4,000 tested individuals.

The Interagency Coordination Council emphasized that the current restrictions have stabilized virus infections, with positive results dropping for the first time in months from 10% to 8%. However, that is not a reason to be content, and social distancing and facemasks remain the key preventive measures to curb infection rates.

In addition, nationwide monitoring of the enforcement of applicable restrictions continues. As a result of the monotiling activities carried out by law enforcements, 1,195 cases of violations have been identified in the past 24 hours. Police have fined 145 individuals for breaching article 42(10) of the Code of Administrative Offenses, including citizens violating the 9 PM-5 AM curfew. Also, 1,050 individuals were fined in the past 24 hours for not wearing facemasks.

Since the first coronavirus case identified in Georgia, a total of 243,255 infections have been identified in the country, of which 227,611 have recovered and 2,846 have died.

Presently, 496 and 579 persons are quarantined and in clinical hotels, respectively, and 3,873 citizens are hospitalized under medical supervision.

The Parliament of Georgia led by Speaker Archil Talakvadze and the President's Administration are actively involved in the work of the Interagency Coordination Council chaired by the Prime Minister.

Press Service of the Government Administration