Georgian textile companies produce 1 million face masks in 2 weeks
The locally produced face masks will be first gifted to people above 70 who suffer from chronic diseases, as well as healthcare workers, patrol police officers, border guards and cashiers. Photo: Government of Georgia press office
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Six Georgian textile companies have produced one million face masks in the last two weeks in an effort to help stem the spread of the new coronavirus.
Two more companies will also start the production from Monday.
Photo: Government of Georgia press office
The locally produced face masks will be gifted to people above 70 who suffer from chronic diseases, as well as healthcare workers, patrol police officers, border guards and cashiers.
Later they will also be available on sale at pharmacies.
Photo: Government of Georgia press office
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and Health MInister Ekaterine Tikaradze visited one of the companies in the black seaside region of Adjara today.
PM Gakharia underscored the importance of local production amid the global face mask deficit. He also welcomed that these companies employ around 3,200 people.
Georgian start-up Doctor Goods has produced 40,000 medical gowns in a week to address the COVID-19 pandemic. As of now, Georgia has 79 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, including eleven individuals who have recovered.
The Georgian government will gift around half a million face masks made in the country to people who have active contact with people due to their profession, the Georgian Ministry of Economy reports.
Around 10 Georgian companies have launched production of face masks in a move to prevent an outbreak of the new coronavirus, with the first batch set to be purchased by the government.
Georgian textile companies have expressed their readiness to start producing face masks to fill in for the deficit caused by fears of the coronavirus.
Georgia has received a total of 63 tonnes of food stuffs and medical supplies via Batumi port in western Georgia earlier today. Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia welcomed the two ships carrying 40 tonnes of food stuffs and 23 tonnes of medicines.
Two more people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Georgia increasing the total number of cases to 159.
A total of 36 individuals have recovered out of the 170 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Georgia. As of now 131 individuals remain infected in the country. Head of the Georgian National Centre for Disease Control Amiran Gamkrelidze has again called on everyone to stay home and keep social distancing to avoid further spread of the virus.
Georgia has reported a second coronavirus-related death. Director of the First University Clinic Levan Ratiani stated today that a woman, 81, suffered from pneumonia, critical respiratory distress, sepsis, atrial fibrillation, as well as chronic heart failure.
The total number of recoveries from the coronavirus has reached 50 in Georgia. The country has confirmed a total of 208 cases of COVID-19 since February 26, including 153 active cases of the virus and three deaths.
The EU-supported sewing workshop attached to a convent in Kakheti is producing 5,000 medical masks in response to the coronavirus, which will be gifted to people at risk and medical staff in Dedoplistskaro municipality, the EU in Georgia press office said.
Frontline health workers, local civil servants and other risk groups in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi and the regions will receive a total of 40,000 protective face shields produced by Georgian company CaucasPack.
Georgian company Medifari, which produces facemasks, is negotiating with Italy, the United States, Russia, Austria and Israel to export face masks to these countries.
Local textile enterprise Ajara Textile is building its fourth factory in Georgia which will create 3,000 jobs in four months, announces the Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia who attended the event that marked the launch of the construction of the new factory.
Face masks produced in Georgia by private companies have been exported to European countries and the USA.
Local textile enterprise Ajara Textile has built a new textile factory in Rustavi which will employ 4,000 people in Rustavi and Gardabani.