“We are forced to slowly open the economy and we have no desire to go back or to go through further – or recurring – closures or restrictions of the economy,” the prime minister stated.
As Giorgi Gakharia noted, the government is aware of the social assistance that it provides to the citizens who have lost their income.
“This social assistance is not enough, which is why we are doing everything to open the economy and give people the opportunity to restore the income they had prior to COVID-19 – the income that they must bring to their families to restore the standard of living that they had at the beginning of the year. This is our obligation to one another. Therefore, [regarding] the government’s plans for opening the economy and tourism – everything will be done extremely carefully and reasonably. Otherwise, we cannot and will not risk the health of our citizens,” the prime minister noted.
According to Giorgi Gakharia, Georgia will be able to prove to everyone that it managed the crisis effectively and that it was able to adapt, and to strengthen its healthcare system.
“Our main appeal and goal is the following: First, to follow the rules; second, to wear face masks. The Ministry of Healthcare and the government are obligated to do everything – and they will do everything – [to implement] the plan, which is effective, and this plan is to ensure the quick detection of the virus, to treat it quickly, and to swiftly return people to their social circles. This is what we must do,” noted the prime minister.
According to PM, Georgia must be one of the first countries to open for tourists. It is therefore essential to follow the rules.
“We require the help of our citizens to maintain order, wear face masks, maintain social distance, take care of one another and, most importantly, to take care of our country’s economy and believe me, we will emerge even stronger and Georgia will be able to prove to everyone that it managed the crisis effectively, that it was able to adapt to the crisis, to strengthen its healthcare system in order to quickly detect and treat the virus and to swiftly return citizens and guests to economic activity. We must be one of the first countries to open for tourists. For this reason, we must follow the rules,” Giorgi Gakharia stated.
