Georgia may ease restrictions in big cities if infection rates remain at current level
The lightening of restrictions includes the resumption of studies and public transport. Photo: government of Georgia press office.
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The government may ease restrictions in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Rustavi if the epidemiological situation is maintained at the current level of infection week, said Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia earlier today.
The lightening of restrictions includes the resumption of studies and public transport.
Out of 18,000 tests taken, only 723 are positive, which is certainly good, but it is still a large number for us, although the community transmission rate approached 4 per cent. When we have a community transmission rate of 4 per cent over 7 days, we can open the economy more boldly, cautiously, reasonably, and it seems that today’s trends give us reason for cautious optimism,” said Gakharia.
He noted that the gradual opening of the economy may start earlier than planned as the government did during the first wave of the pandemic in spring 2020.
Gakharia said that if Georgia has 2,000-5,000 everyday cases then the economy cannot operate as usual.
Dozens of Georgian children have developed a multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) which is a rare but serious complication associated with COVID-19, Radio Liberty has reported.
Georgian Health Officials say that the country will be able to receive only 200,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine against coronavirus as of today as Georgia lacks refrigeration facilities to keep the vaccines in mandatory -80 degree conditions.
Georgia has reported 723 new cases of coronavirus, 932 recoveries and 19 deaths in the past 24 hours. 6,675 individuals remain infected with Covid-19 in Georgia as of today. 17,850 tests have been conducted in the past 24 hours around the country.10,718 of the 17,850 tests were rapid tests, while the remaining 7,132 were PCR tests. Georgia has had 256,287 cases of coronavirus since February 2020.
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'.
The Georgian Ministry of Education will allow the parents of school students to choose between in-person and online studies starting February 1.