Challenge of Georgia in the conditions of COVID-19 pandemic (საქართველოს გამოწვევა პანდემიის COVID-19 პირობებში)
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University Press
Abstract
On 6 January 2020, the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor,
Health and Social Affairs reported to the Government of Georgia the outbreak of a still unknown epidemic in
China. The Georgian Government responded by developing immediate and specific measures, as well as by
initiating the investigation and continuous monitoring of relevant international practice. From the very early days
of the pandemic, the Georgian authorities directed their efforts in two directions, aiming to save both the health
and lives of the people, as well as the national economy. Therefore, all the steps taken by the government have
been determined by the obligation assumed by the government to protect the health and lives of the people and
the motivation to save the economy.
Correspondingly, in parallel to the prevention of the spread of the virus, the Government of Georgia has
provided citizens with social support while also ensuring the provision of support to entrepreneurs and the
economy in order to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.
1 021 943 COVID-19 cases have been reported in for 20 January, 2022, with 946 255 (93.0 %) patients
having recovered, 114 582 patients have died, number of vaccinations - 2 635 602 persons.
Correspondingly, in parallel to the prevention of the spread of the virus, the Government of Georgia has
provided citizens with social support while also ensuring the provision of support to entrepreneurs and the
economy in order to mitigate the effects of the pandemic. The government is also working intensively with
international partners to attract funding, in order to alleviate the results of the crisis to the greatest possible extent.
It should be noted that given the problems associated with the imposition of restrictions on the country's
economy, the Government of Georgia initially chose the path of mainly issuing recommendations and conducting
information campaigns. The imposition of strict mandatory restrictions was avoided as much as possible at this
stage.
In addition, for the purpose of mitigating the negative effects of the pandemic on the economy, including
the financial sector, and with a view to boosting the national economy, the National Bank of Georgia developed an
ad hoc supervision plan and implemented significant monetary and credit measures in full compliance with the
recommendations of the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank, and other key financial
organizations.
According to revised estimates, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Georgia at current prices amounted to 49
266.7 million GEL in 2020 year. In 2020 compared to previous year the real GDP declined by 6.8 percent, while
the GDP deflator percentage change equaled to 7.3 percent. Estimated real GDP growth rate in November 2021
equaled to 12.0 percent year-over-year (YOY) and 10.7 percent YoY in January-November 2021.
In the country, as well as around the world, there are some difficulties in creating the necessary
environment to eliminate the consequences of the spread of infection. However, it should also be noted that
despite great efforts, the infection still persists and has an impact on economic activity.
Description
1. https://www.geostat.ge/ka/modules/categories/54/jandatsva
2. https://ncdc.ge/#/pages/content/4d01df7c-43dc-4603-bce6-0bf9478fea3b
3. https://stopcov.ge/
Keywords
Population, Health care, Covid-19, Statistics, Administration
Citation
International Scientific Conference Dedicated to the Establishment of the University and the 100th Anniversary of the Faculty of Economics and Business “Covid 19 Pandemic and Economics”, Tbilisi, 2022, pp. 371-377