Tengiz Tsertsvadze: If we want not to have restrictions, we must get involved in a large-scale vaccination campaign, keep distance, wear masks and avoid crowded gatherings

We cannot play with fire, if we want not to have restrictions, we must get involved in a large-scale vaccination campaign, keep distance, wear masks and avoid crowded gatherings, Tengiz Tsertsvadze, Director General of the Infectious Diseases Hospital, writes on the social network.

According to him, a large part of the population refuses to wear masks and keep social distance, but they do not refuse crowded gatherings, which poses a serious risk and results in increased number of deaths.

"Today, there is an increase in new cases and deaths caused by COVID-19 around the world, especially in the vast majority of European and American countries. In some European countries they are already talking about the start of the so-called third wave. Consequently, most European countries are tightening restrictions, and some of them have already announced lockdown”, he said.

According to him, the number of cases and deaths was lower in Georgia than in most European and American countries, allowing the country to minimize restrictions.

“Unfortunately, the stabilization of the epidemiological situation has contributed to the relaxation of the population, due to which, a large part of the population is not in a hurry to get vaccinated (especially in the regions), refuses to wear masks, keep social distances, but they do not refuse crowded gatherings. Such an attitude carries a serious risk of an increase in COVID cases and the resulting deaths’, Tengiz Tsertsvadze said.

He added that the population should make a right decision in the coming days.

“We must get involved in a large-scale vaccination campaign, keep distance, wear masks and avoid crowded gatherings and this should be done in the nearest days”, said Tsertsvadze.