PM: Wearing Face Masks, Social Distancing Become Part of Our Lives

Even though we are able to say today that we can begin implementing a part of the presented six-stage plan to open the economy at a somewhat earlier stage, nonetheless, we must all understand that all the benefits that we will provide will only be effective if every citizen, every company takes responsibility for their daily life and activities, stated Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia during the session of the government today.

He noted that today the state is fighting on two fronts and that the issue of economic recovery and revival will move to the forefront over time, adding that the resolution of this issue should not be delayed any further.

"Today, we are fighting on two fronts and we understand well that the issues pertaining to economic recovery and revival are moving to the forefront more and more every day, as time goes by; this issue is becoming more and more significant and problematic and its resolution must not be further postponed. However, we must all understand that unless every recommendation issued by the Ministry of Healthcare in terms of changes to the regulations governing our everyday lives, as well as the daily activities of companies are observed, it will be difficult for us to talk about economic recovery.

"Even though we are able to say today that we can begin [implementing] a part of the presented six-stage plan to open the economy at a somewhat earlier stage, nonetheless we must all understand that all the benefits that we will provide will only be effective if every citizen, every company takes responsibility for their daily life and activities. If that is the case, then we can be effective in opening the economy and ensuring its revival while withstanding the global competition that has begun before our eyes in our neighboring countries, as well as in Europe and the whole world," Gakharia stated.

The Minister also spoke about the statistics pertaining to the coronavirus in the country during the session of the government.

"We are returning to the normal mode of operation, which is important and permitted by the epidemiological situation in the country, as well as the management of said epidemiological situation by the Ministry of Healthcare. Nonetheless, each and every one of us needs to understand that we have to learn to manage this challenge. This is of critical importance and we will need to start every session of the government with effective measures to combat the epidemic; only then will we be able to move on to important topics such as the economy and economic revival.

"As of today, there are 593 infected persons in Georgia. Four new cases have been reported in the past 24 hours. The number of recovered patients stands at 223, and unfortunately, nine citizens have died. The only effective tool in every step taken by us is the correct analysis of the epidemiological situation in the country and the data that are provided by professionals on a daily basis."

He said that the issuance of relevant permits that will allow all companies operating in the construction sector to resume operation will begin tomorrow.

"Data analysis allows us to state that starting tomorrow, 5 May, we will begin issuing the relevant permits that will allow all companies operating in the construction sector, as well as all companies that produce construction materials, to resume operation. The companies that are linked to the construction business in various ways will also be able to resume operation from 5 May."

He noted that groups created under the aegis of the Ministry of Healthcare and the Ministry of Economy will continue carrying out daily inspections to check how well the companies are meeting the obligations imposed under conditions of the epidemic.

"The team operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Healthcare and the Ministry of Economy will continue carrying out daily inspections and I would like to call on the owners and heads of every company to approach their day-to-day activities and obligations imposed by the Ministry of Healthcare with responsibility," the head of government noted.

Companies working on vehicle repairs will also be allowed to operate starting tomorrow.

"This is important for logistical businesses as well as for shipping and transportation and this is a step that we can take today," the prime minister noted.

Gakharia emphasized that economic revival, opening the economy, and post-crisis management are becoming the government's top priority.

At the same time, the government will have this opportunity only if the Ministry of Healthcare ensures the effective management of the epidemic.

"This is critically important and at the same time, every one of our citizens must understand that the novel measures that are less than pleasant, such as wearing face masks and social distancing, are becoming a part of our life. I would like to reiterate this because this is the only way and means for us to withstand economic competition and to be effective in terms of economic recovery."

The head of the government noted that the Ministry of Economy has been instructed to develop a strategic plan to restore the tourism sector.

"Several days ago, the Ministry of Economy was instructed to develop a strategic plan for the restoration of the tourism sector – one of the most affected sectors and one of the most important driving forces for our economy. As far as I know, this plan has been completed and we will review it in the coming days," he noted.

The PM stated that the restrictions on travel will be lifted in Batumi and Kutaisi tomorrow. According to Giorgi Gakharia, it is possible that that the issue of opening Tbilisi and Rustavi up for travel will be positively resolved by the end of the week, though this depends on the epidemiological situation.

"Several weeks ago, we were forced to adopt a measure whereby certain major cities were locked down and today, we can say that starting tomorrow, restrictions on travel will be lifted in cities such as Batumi and Kutaisi. Certain restrictions will remain in place in Tbilisi and Rustavi and this is directly linked to the epidemiological situation in adjacent regions. However, given the epidemiological situation, corresponding decisions will be made in the coming days in Tbilisi and Rustavi as well. We can hope that the issue of opening Tbilisi and Rustavi up for travel will be positively resolved by the end of the week."

Gakharia also discussed the importance of the field of agriculture against the backdrop of the existing challenges, noting that support for farming is acquiring a new value, in parallel with the challenges.

The head of government noted that the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture developed an effective plan to support farmers.

"The revival of the village, supporting farming is acquiring a new value and a new dimension in parallel with the challenges that we encounter on a daily basis, for instance, in terms of food safety and supplying the country with primary products. The Ministry of Agriculture developed an absolutely effective plan to support our farmers, which will be presented to the population – and, primarily, the farmers – in the coming days," he noted.

The Prime Minister emphasized governmental support for the citizens who have lost their income, nothing that eventually every person who lost his or her income will receive support from the state.

He noted that amendments to the Tax Code will concern state subsidies on income tax, which are aimed at the retention of jobs. As regards the ordinance of the government – it will be aimed at approving social measures supporting the people who were left without an income.  

"One of the most important topics of discussion for our government today will be the social and economic measures that we have already planned and presented to the public, which we will adopt by initiating amendments to the Tax Code, as well as [by issuing] an ordinance of government. Amendments to the Tax Code will concern the stimulus measures that will be adopted in terms of income tax subsidies for companies; this is directly aimed at maximizing the retention of jobs in the country. As regards the ordinance of government, it will be aimed at approving the social measures that we have already adopted, which means providing citizens who have lost their jobs with support for six months, as well as supporting those who were self-employed. We will simplify these mechanisms as much as possible and trust me – eventually, every person who lost their income will receive such support. Furthermore, you are aware that socially disadvantaged families with a score between 65,000 and 100,000 will receive support in the amount of 600 GEL during a period of six months, and this will apply to families with many children, persons with disabilities who are under the age of 16, and every person who requires support primarily from the state."

Gakharia called on the members of the government to answer every question raised by the public in order to adhere to a high principle of publicity.

"Of course, the basis of our success, first and foremost, is in overcoming the epidemiological situation and challenge and the effective and swift recovery of the economy. However, at the same time, we must adhere to the high principle of publicity and transparency, which guides our daily activities. In recent months, we have been living, working, and acting on a daily basis under conditions of a state of emergency and of course, even though the law allows us to more or less delay the implementation of certain assumptions in terms of accountability to the public in the interest of effectiveness, I would like to call on each and every one of you: We already have the opportunity, as we are no longer in a force majeure situation; we are managing the epidemiological situation and we are beginning to implement the economic recovery plan. I would like to call on each and every one of you to answer all questions coming from the public in an open and transparent manner, regardless of who asks it. These questions may pertain to the decisions made under the state of emergency – this may concern specific questions about why one company was permitted [to operate] and why another was not, these questions may also concern why one city was on lockdown and another one was not, [or] why we adopted measures that may seem strict to our citizens at first glance."

The head of the government noted that every citizen will receive equal services under the state of emergency, regardless of their ethnic origin or region of residence.

The Prime Minister also instructed the representatives of the state to take effective steps in this direction in order to ensure that every citizen of Georgia receives an equal share of the measures implemented by the government.

"Every one of our citizens is provided with equal healthcare-related or economic services under the state of emergency, regardless of their ethnic origin or region of residence.

"Websites such as stopcov.ge have been translated into three languages. I would like to call primarily on local municipalities to do their best to double their efforts in order to ensure that all of these citizens are provided with full information concerning all the benefits provided, and social assistance-related steps taken by the state. Additionally, I would like to instruct the governors to take effective steps in this direction in order to ensure that every citizen of Georgia receives an equal share of the measures implemented by the government," he concluded. 

Source: Press Service of the Government Administration