Marneuli and Bolnisi  – two municipalities of Kvemo Kartli region of Georgia have been put under quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has made this announcement after the session of the Interagency Coordination Council in a late night press conference.

According to Giorgi Gakharia, this decision is related to the beginning of the stage of domestic transmission of the virus in the country.

“Presently, 54 people are infected in Georgia, and 3254 are quarantined. As you know, a state of national emergency was declared in the country on March 21. Today, however, we are facing a very difficult case, an infected woman from Marneuli whose source of infection has not been identified. We have been discussing and preparing for this case for days now, meaning the phase of domestic transmission in the country. The unfortunate part of it is that, according to our epidemiologists, domestic transmission is likely to have taken place during a ritual attended by tens of people.

Accordingly, that our epidemiologists have identified 90 contacts does not mean anything. The situation is quite difficult, and this challenge and problem is what we have been referring to as domestic transmission, the domestic spread phase, and we have been doing everything to be maximally ready for it. And we are, in fact, maximally ready. Despite all these preparations, however, the situation is very difficult, which is why the Government of Georgia had to make a decision to place Marneuli and Bolnisi Municipalities on lockdown,” – Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated.

The Head of Government defined in detail these strict quarantine restrictions.

“Effective today, entering and leaving Marneuli and Bolnisi Municipalities will be restricted. All outlets will be shut down, except for food stores, pharmacies, and other essential infrastructural facilities. Public transport will be restricted as well, and so will be movement within the municipalities, with the exception of citizens leaving home for food, medications, or medical services. We also allowed for an exception, and in cases meeting clearly defined protocol from our medics, we will enable Marneuli and Bolnisi residents to carry out agricultural activities”, – PM said.

Giorgi Gakharia added that the Interior Ministry is in charge of maintaining public order and enforcing a state of emergency in the municipalities.