Amiran Gamkrelidze is a Junior Health Minister in Georgia. Now, as the Minister in charge of dealing with Coronavirus, he’s become a national hero.
Georgia has been acclaimed for its response to the virus, with the EU’s Ambassador to the country stating that “I cannot think of a better place to be right now than here in Georgia.”
Although the Georgian economy had been expanding, it is still relatively poor by European standards.
The key to Georgia’s success was in acting quickly when the virus was in its early stages before it posed a threat in the country. Travel limitations started on 28th January, with all arrivals temperature checked at entry points and anyone arriving from a country in which coronavirus was present, or with symptoms put into quarantine (which is different to voluntary self isolation).
Bars, restaurants, schools, universities, sports and cultural events were closed early on, and gatherings, including funerals, were banned.The entire public transport system underwent overnight deep cleaning every night.This before Britain had even suggested social distancing.
As the situation progressed, everyone arriving from abroad was put into quarantine. One Georgian citizen arriving back into the country posted about her surprise and delight at being accommodated in a luxury hotel in Batumi with sea views. Buses were waiting at Tbilisi airport to transport passengers (with appropriate social distancing) 225 miles to the luxury resort.
Extensive street cleansing is being carried out, a 9pm to 6am curfew is in place and extensive contact tracing is taking place.
A StopCov fund has been set up 124m GEL ($39m). Bidzana Ivanishvili, founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party donated 100m of that figure. Government Ministers have agreed to donate one third of their salaries to the fund.
A four month holiday on property and income taxes for the hospitality sector has been introduced, alongside other measures to protect the economy.
Politics in Georgia is confrontational. Although the ruling Georgian Dream party and opposition United National Movement (UNM) are both of the centre right there is fierce personal animosities between them.
Gamkrelidze, a quiet and mild man, came under attack from the UNM, but simply responded that the issue of COVID19 is outside party politics. “There is no time for politics now” he said.
Georgians were shocked when it emerged that a 62 year old Azeri woman who had returned from Azerbaijan and attended a wedding with 100 guests tested positive for COVID19. The woman, with underlying health issues was hospitalised, and moved to intensive care. The nation was relieved when she recovered from the disease.
So far there have been just three deaths from coronavirus in Georgia. 296 cases have been recorded, of whom 69 have recovered.
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