To ensure the effective management of epidemiological risks growing due to the reopening of Georgia’s economy, risk groups have been defined for mandatory PCR testing. Besides standard cases defined as COVID-19 infections, mandatory testing will apply to priority lists of persons, as defined in the recent decree of the Government.

Today’s meeting of the Interagency Coordination Council, held in a videoconference format under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, emphasized the crucial importance of the timely identification and treatment of possible coronavirus cases at this stage of the fight against the virus—making the testing system an effective complementary tool.

As the Government Administration said, “the STOP COVID application is one of the vital components of the fight against coronavirus in that it provides citizens with information about their possible contacts with infected individuals, also warning them about locations visited by COVID-19 infected persons.”

The Interagency Coordination Council urges citizens to make active use of the Stop COVID application to avoid possible contacts with infected persons and moving around areas with high risks of infection.

The council’s members also discussed issues related to reopening domestic tourism. According to the National Tourism Administration, the ongoing process meets applicable rules and standards. And hotels officially permitted to operate are in an active process of booking.

In relation to the resumption of domestic tourism, the Interagency Coordination Council made a decision of reopening museums. Mandatory standards for museum personnel and visitors have already been developed and will be published in the nearest future.

To ensure effective risks management under growing mobility and domestic tourism resumption, strict control over compliance with applicable standards continues in public circulation areas, including restaurants and recreation areas. Failure to comply results in legally defined fines.

In addition, public servants are advised to work remotely.

At this point, given the epidemiological situation, strict quarantine restrictions remain in force in the village Mushevani, Bolnisi Municipality.

As of today, Georgia has 888 confirmed cases of infection, of which 731 have already recovered. Three Georgian citizens have been transported from abroad for treatment. 14 citizens have passed away.

2,710 persons are presently under quarantine, and 267 are under hospital supervision.