Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia began today's session of the government by discussing the epidemiological situation.
According to the head of the government, recently there has been a clear trend of an increase in the number of infections; however, the situation is manageable and fully under control.

"We have always said that the number of infected people would increase together with the lifting of restrictions, including economic ones, just as it did everywhere else, all over the world. This is why we said that the main goal is to adapt to the virus and to learn to coexist with it. We are at this stage today. I would like to emphasize that the strict measures, the lockdowns, the restrictions - including the state of emergency - were implemented precisely in order to save the lives of dozens of our citizens and to reduce the social and economic damage done to the economy, simply because there was a complete lack of knowledge regarding the virus in the world and we needed to buy some time," the Prime Minister stated.

According to Giorgi Gakharia's assessment, Georgia has been successful in this regard and since much more knowledge and experience has accumulated with regard to the virus in Georgia, as well as worldwide, this presents an opportunity to continue living normally, while following certain rules.

"This is the knowledge and experience that we have accumulated in recent months: Managing the risks of the virus, managing the spread of the virus over time, which was valued and assessed on an international level as well. Today, our main goal is to rebuild our economy as fast as possible, in a manner that will not endanger the health of our citizens. This means that our priority today is the rapid recovery of the economy and this is impossible without the observance of certain rules. The rules are simple - face masks, social distancing, basic hygiene, and so on. We must all learn to coexist with the virus together. It will be impossible for a single country to defeat the virus until the problem posed by the virus is resolved globally through vaccines or other means," Giorgi Gakharia stated.

According to the Prime Minister, the process of economic recovery must not be put at risk with strict restrictions. Correspondingly, no such measures are planned.
"We have been receiving the cautious impulses of the representatives of businesses and the economic field through various channels - they are quite worried about the ongoing processes. I would like to emphasize that no strict closures or restrictions will take place. The main component of our policy of adaptation is the following: We must fight the spread of the virus in a targeted, pinpoint manner. This may entail local restrictions; however, the strict systemic restrictions that we imposed to reduce mobility during the first stage will not be repeated in the country. I would like to emphasize, once again, that as of today, the economic recovery of the country, the speed of economic recovery is the priority and, at the same time, we must take care of the health of citizens as well. Today, we have the means to do so. Georgia will have one of the best starting conditions in the post-crisis economy according to all international assessments. Of course, we must use this," Giorgi Gakharia stated.
According to the government's decision, direct air traffic from Kutaisi to Riga will begin from 1 October. The flights, which will be operated by Wizz Air, will take place once a week.

As the Prime Minister noted, as of today, direct flights from Tbilisi to Europe are open to international airlines such as Lufthansa, Air France, AirBaltic, as well as Georgia's national carrier.
"This reflects the trend, whereby we must do everything to restore the economy even faster, in a prudent and careful manner. Of course, this is done primarily in the interests of our citizens and, unconditionally, while taking into account the protection of their health and lives. We will continue to open the Georgian airspace carefully and consistently, first of all considering the epidemiological situation as well as, of course, our economic interests," the Prime Minister noted.
Additionally, according to the government's decision, the support program for small entrepreneurs within the framework of Enterprise Georgia will be expanded from 5 October.

"In June, we announced one of the components of the anti-crisis measures - the micro-grant program - which is one of the components of Enterprise Georgia and has been very popular and effective in recent years. I would like to emphasize that 9,400 citizens of Georgia have benefited from this program. We have increased the budget of this program to 41 million and we have increased the volume of one-off funding as well - it used to amount to 20,000 GEL and it will amount to 30,000 GEL," Giorgi Gakharia stated.

According to the head of the government, state support is becoming even more important today, under the conditions of the economic crisis.
"This is important because this is the provision of grant assistance to our citizens, who are willing and able to take the first step and start their own business. I would like to tell our citizens that they can receive information about these programs at Community Centers and Justice Houses in their own cities and regions. We must all unanimously support the initiative for people to take the first steps in business and take responsibility for their future. Applications for this program will be accepted from 5 October," Giorgi Gakharia stated.
In addition, according to the government's decision, another subsidized flight will take place in the near future for Georgian students studying in Berlin. According to the Prime Minister, the academic year is gradually beginning in various countries and the Government of Georgia continues to help Georgian students gradually return to the various cities where they study.

"We have already carried out three subsidized flights and transported up to 500 students to various cities in Europe. Another flight to Berlin will take place in the near future. We will continue to support our students with subsidies and discounted tickets in order to help them return to their educational institutions," Giorgi Gakharia noted.

Press Service of the Government Administration