10 Main Messages from PM’s Report to Parliament on COVID-19

On Wednesday May 27, the Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia delivered a report to Parliament on COVID-19 and the government’s effort to manage it.

Below are his top 10 messages on the management of the coronavirus outbreak, Georgia’s successful experience in the fight against the new challenge, and already implemented and planned efforts for the country’s economic recovery. 

1. The epidemiological situation in the country is fully under control

"Today, we can say that the epidemiological situation in the country is fully under control," the PM told Parliament.

"No-one knows what the world will be like tomorrow in terms of both economic and social life, and this was the biggest challenge for us," he noted. 

"When we had to make concrete moves to overcome this crisis, at some point it became necessary to take steps that would turn this crisis into an opportunity for our country. Today, we can say that the epidemiological situation in the country is fully under control," he emphasized. 

2. Georgia has the lowest number of deaths per 100 of its inhabitants among 49 European countries

Gakharia said that Georgia has the lowest number of deaths per 100 of its inhabitants among 49 European countries. The country ranks 123rd in terms of epidemic rate.

He noted that the country’s successful fight against COVID-19 is the merit of the government as well as of businesses and, first of all, of the citizens of Georgia.

3. Up to 13,000 citizens of Georgia came home from abroad

“We have been everywhere that Georgian citizens needed help,” the PM said during his speech.

About 13,000 citizens have returned to the country, and diplomatic missions provided assistance to up to 22,000 citizens abroad.

“A very topical issue for some ‘political dancers’ is the return of our citizens from abroad. 12,720 people returned to Georgia, and the Foreign Ministry and government have provided assistance to 21,198 citizens. In addition, as a result of the joint efforts of the Georgian and American governments, we brought 90 schoolchildren home from the United States, including 30 Armenian citizens, and I would like to thank the US government for this," he said.

4. Gov't to Subsidize Mortgage Loans for Citizens

The Government of Georgia has decided to subsidize mortgage loans for citizens, the Prime Minister of Georgia said on Wednesday.

He noted that the process of subsidizing mortgage loans will continue until the end of the year and will be intended for all people who decide to take out a mortgage in order to improve their living conditions.

"Construction will be one of the most seriously affected sectors. We have already developed a concrete plan.

"It’s not just to help companies but citizens too, who have either decided to buy an apartment and improve their living conditions, or are already involved in the process, or have paid a down payment, or have started cooperation with a construction company and their apartment is under construction.

"All such risks will be insured by the state. From today until the end of the year, the state will subsidize mortgage loans for all people who decide to take out a mortgage by the end of the year to improve their living conditions. We made this decision to avoid the results we had after the 2008 crisis,” he said. 

The PM added that 150 million GEL will be allocated to provide IDPs with apartments, which will also help the construction sector.

5. Medical workers involved in the fight against coronavirus to receive financial assistance

The Prime Minister of Georgia pledged that medical workers who are involved in the fight against the coronavirus will receive financial assistance.

"Medical staff, especially those who are involved in the fight against the coronavirus, will definitely need financial assistance and incentives, and this will be given,” said the PM.

6. Government plans to tighten management of online casinos

The Prime Minister says the government plans to tighten the legislation on the management of online casinos. In response to a question from MP Levan Gogichaishvili, the government will address Parliament in the near future with a legislative initiative to tighten the management of online casinos.

7. The process of providing assistance to those who lost jobs during the pandemic will start this week 

The government is fulfilling its promises and will start giving financial assistance to the population this week.

Gakharia said the government will assist those citizens who lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic with GEL 1,200 over six months, meaning they will receive GEL 200 in financial assistance per month.

8. Based on IMF data, Georgia ranks second in terms of bureaucratic expenditures compared to GDP

“Based on IMF data, Georgia ranks second in terms of bureaucratic expenditures compared to GDP, after Singapore,” the PM said in response to a question from opposition member Sergo Ratiani regarding the increase in bureaucratic costs.

"Expenditures have increased by 25 million because the entire ambulance structure was transferred from City Hall to the Ministry of Health. When we talk about bureaucratic costs, based on IMF data, Georgia ranks second in terms of bureaucratic expenditures compared to GDP, after Singapore.

“Open books, read something, instead of waving flags,” the PM told the opposition.

9. Even after the declaration of the state of emergency, about 65,000 companies continued to operate

Even after the declaration of the state of emergency, about 65,000 companies continued to operate: no agricultural enterprises, systemic infrastructure projects or systemic industrial companies were shut down, Gakharia emphasized.

In addition, he noted that none of these workplaces became a source of infection, as everything was carried out in stages, pragmatically and under control.

“Therefore, when we talk about stopping the economy, there was no quarantine level in Georgia seen in most European countries. There has not been a single day in Georgia that citizens were restricted from leaving their homes, and yet we have been able to control the pandemic,” he stressed.

10. Religion is the red line that not the government, but the country’s citizens, survived crossing

“Religion is the red line that I think not the government, but the country, its citizens, have passed,” Gakharia told MPs, emphasizing that even after Easter night, the country did not see an explosion of corona cases.

“Something simple happened: the citizens trusted their government and state and followed certain rules when enforcing their religious beliefs; the Georgian Orthodox Church changed its attitude, calling on people to do not for what would be good for the government- which would be not to attend the religious services on Easter night- but for it to be done following the rules.

“In the end, we got pictures of the Georgian Church out in the world, where people are seen praying at a distance of two meters. The most important thing is that we did not have an epidemic explosion," Gakharia said.