PM Gakharia: ‘restrictions on social gatherings don’t apply to election campaigning’

Starting today, social gatherings of more than 10 people, also cultural and sporting events with the participation of more than 200 individuals, are banned in Georgia amid a steep rise in coronavirus cases. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

Agenda.ge, 10 Sep 2020 - 14:21, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated today that restrictions on social gatherings do not apply to election campaigning.

Starting today, social gatherings of more than 10 people, also cultural and sporting events with the participation of more than 200 individuals, are banned in Georgia amid a steep rise in coronavirus cases. 

This includes large birthdays, weddings, funeral feasts and other public and ritual events.

The above-mentioned events will be banned not only in indoor spaces, but in outdoor spaces as well.

We understand that the prohibitions will cause some discomfort and possibly, annoy our citizens, but a good example of violating restrictions on social gatherings is a recent wedding held in Tbilisi. I will not name the restaurant. [Because of this wedding] five additional clusters [have appeared] – one in Tsageri, another one in Kutaisi, also one in Zugdidi and in other places. We are expecting an increase in infections in these areas”, said Gakharia.

Gakharia also mentioned that the Georgian government is expecting a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic in Georgia in autumn, though there is no reason to panic.

The epidemic situation is completely under control.  Today’s 57 new cases and yesterday's 44 cases of infection directly indicate that the epidemiological situation is slowly changing in the country… One of the most important directions of the steps are to manage the risks of spreading the virus, as well as to adapt the social, economic and political life to the conditions of virus management”, said Gakharia.

Check the list of Georgian laboratories offering to make a test to diagnose COVID-19

PM Gakharia also said that as of today, nearly 7000 individuals can be tested for COVID-19 per day, and soon it will be possible to conduct 10,000 COVID-19 tests daily.