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Levan Davitashvili: "The food supply chain is very complex, it is not only a network of grocery stores seen easily by all consumers, but extensive infrastructure lies behind it."
“Ensure food supplies for the population is fundamental for their life and well being, especially when quarantine or restrictions are imposed on people. This is one of the crucial issues, that needs to be strictly controlled in the current circumstances, particularly, when almost all countries across the world face crisis and deal with this new challenge, epidemic disease "said the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili,.
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According to the Minister, since the outbreak of disease first started in the country, the coordination headquarter has been established, developing an action plan and distributing functions and responsibilities to all engaged relevant persons. The Interagency Coordination Council was established and led by the Prime Minister of Georgia to prevent the possible spread of the new coronavirus, under which, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture oversees the management, logistics and transportation of food supplies.
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 “We work 24 hours a day. The headquarter is set at the Ministry to make operational decisions. All relevant persons have taken responsibilities in the specific areas and are being assigned for coordination activities, including to be in constant communication with the business operators, private sector and all parties engaged in this process. Furthermore, strict quarantine zones set in Kvemo Kartli region cause difficulties in the supply of food products. It should be noted, that importers and distributors face difficulties under the curfew time. We all need to understand, that, imposing a curfew is an urgent decision to stop the spread of the coronavirus, accordingly, similar decisions are not desirable, but necessary to make. The food supply chain is very complex, it is not only a network of grocery stores seen easily by all consumers, but extensive infrastructure lies behind it. Some restrictions were imposed to those food distributors who worked during the night, accordingly they have to move to a new shift. Six large distribution centers were established in Kartli region to avoid food shortages in Marneuli and Bolnisi municipalities, due to the limited mobility. This issue is already settled, local distributors are connected to the major distributors across the country in a coordinated manner. Today, the most important thing is to meet with the healthcare requirements, quarantine requirements and act in accordance with the rules" Levan Davitashvili said.