Head of the National Center for Diseases Control and Public Health (NCDC), Amiran Gakrelidze, said that Covid-19 tests (rapid, PCR) might no longer be state-funded and thus cost-free for the population.

As a part of the Interagency Coordination Council meeting today, the NCDC initiated to consider imposing a regulation for eateries, spa salons, fitness centres, and similar establishments to admit either vaccinated or Covid-tested customers and staff only.

“The government provides free vaccination. However, people refrain from receiving jabs but at the same time want to go to restaurants. Let them pay for tests at their expense,” Gamkrelidze stated.

Epidemiological situations in Georgia has much worsened recently. Deputy NCDC Head Paata Imnadze declared that Georgia had five times more Covid-19 cases per capita than India this week.

Georgia reported 5 128 coronavirus cases, 3 310 recoveries and 49 deaths on Thursday, the official figures show.