Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said at today's inter-agency coordination council meeting that if the community transmission rate continues to remain at over 4% any talk about normal economic performance is 'nothing more than gossip'.
If the community transmission rate drops under 4% in the coming weeks, we will be able to talk about the resumption of municipal transport in the capital city and reopening of those economic sectors that will be permitted by the epidemic situation”, Gakharia said.
He said that since imposing targeted coronavirus restrictions in Georgia the number of test-positive cases has been declining.
We launched these targeted Covid-19 restrictions on November 28 and over 5000 test-positive cases were detected at that time. When a country has 5,000-6,000 cases a day, we cannot talk about a normal functioning of the economy", he said.
Gakharia said that 'everything should be done' to resume tourism in summer.
We do not intend to continue the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), thus being able to resume international air flights. At the same time, we should all together do our best to resume the tourism in summer", said Gakharia.
He said that what is happening at ski resorts now is 'saddening' and businesses in Gudauri, Bakuriani, Mestia and Goderdzi face economic challenges now but ‘our intention is to avoid short-term impulsive decisions' that will lead to a quick recovery for summer.
Gakharia also said that the next most important step is to reopen schools and especially the primary segment of education.