Public schools close until mid-March in coronavirus preventative measure
The intergovernmental coordination group led by Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia made a decision after the third case of coronavirus was confirmed in the country earlier today. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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Public schools will be closed in Georgia until March 16 as a measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The intergovernmental coordination group led by Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia made a decision after the third case of coronavirus was confirmed in the country earlier today.
This, according to officials, will be enough time to strengthen disinfection works at schools, as well as kindergartens and public transport.
As of today, three Georgian citizens have tested positive for COVID-19, while 170 others, who have been recently travelling to countries with high risk of infection, remain under the quarantine in Georgia.
Head of the Georgian National Centre for Disease Control Amiran Gamkrelidze has recommended citizens temporarily avoid travelling to China, Iran, South Korea and Italy amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Head of the Georgian National Centre for Disease Control Amiran Gamkrelidze announced today that yet another Georgian citizen who recently travelled to Iran has tested positive for the coronavirus, known as COVID-19.
Georgia has confirmed the second case of the new, China-born coronavirus Covid-19. The infected individual is a Georgian citizen who had been traveling to Italy, head of the National Disease Control Centre Amiran Gamkrelidze stated earlier today. He said that as of now 29 patients remain at the Tbilisi Hospital of Infections Diseases with samples taken of 24 of them. The individuals had travelled in countries who are experiencing the outbreak of the respiratory infection.
The Georgian government has issued a new decree to prevent the spread of the new, China-born coronavirus Covid-19, making amendments in the January 28 decree following the confirmation of the first case of the coronavirus in the country yesterday. The decree instructs various state agencies to present their action plans against the spread of the respiratory infection and their budgets by March 1, 2020.
Georgian Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze announced today that a Georgian citizen who recently travelled to Iran for business has tested positive for the coronavirus. Tikaradze said that the individual who returned to Georgia via Azerbaijan yesterday was immediately delivered to the Tbilisi infectious disease hospital and did not have any communication with other citizens, except for border guards.
Eight, who are quarantined in Tbilisi Hospital of Infections Diseases given their recent travel activity to Iran or Italy or contact with people who recently returned from these countries, have tested negative for the new, China-born Covid-19 virus. As of now 19 individuals remain in hospital, with only three cases of coronavirus detection.
Head of the National Disease Control Centre (NCDC) has urged media outlets to refrain from ‘making a political scene’ and ‘inappropriately insulting medics’ regarding the coronavirus situation in the country ‘as the issue is not political.'He stated that Mtavari Arkhi and its founder Nika Gvaramia have made ‘ungrounded accusations’ against the NCDC and responsible state agencies, blaming them of ‘being unprepared for the virus and being intransparent.’
The Government Reserve Fund has allocated 1 million GEL ($358,358) to the Ministry of Health to respond to the challenge of the new coronavirus in Georgia. The Ministry of Finance has also been instructed to allocate additional financial resources to the Ministry of Health if necessary.
Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has cancelled up to 25 per cent of its Italian short haul flights, including from Georgia, between March 17 and April 8.
Officials from the World Health Organisation gave "positive assessment" to Georgia's efforts for preventing a spread of coronavirus outbreak in the country this week.
Individuals placed in quarantine or self-isolation for two weeks amid the coronavirus outbreak will be compensated by their employers per an order released by Georgia’s Ministry of Health, reports the press office of the Ministry.
The Russian controlled Tskhinvali region has requested ‘vital medical products’ from Russia amid Russia’s recent temporary ban on various medical products, including face masks.
The government of Georgia has recommended public institutions avoid overseas business trips except in cases of extreme necessity in order to prevent the further spread of covid-19.
The study process will not be resumed at schools until September 1, however, distance learning will continue in Georgia.
As Georgia begins to ease lockdown, reopening of schools needs to be prioritised, says UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund) Georgia in an official statement. The statement reads that the longer children stay out of school, the more exposed they are to various risks.
The next academic year may mix online and school studies, said Deputy Health Minister Tamar Gabuania, noting that this method will give Georgia an opportunity to start and continue the academic year safely and avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
Kindergartens and theaters will be opened on October 1 in Georgia, while schools and cinemas will open on September 15, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has announced.