The Democracy Research Institute (DRI) considers that the pandemic is being used by the de facto authorities of Tskhinvali region to isolate the region from Tbilisi, which, in addition to restricting freedom of movement, has extremely negative effects on the health and life of locals.

“Access to medical services, medicines, testing and vaccination remains a serious problem in Tskhinvali. Population lives in complete physical and informational isolation, where isolation is not a means of protecting from the virus but distancing from the controlled territory of Tbilisi. The situation on the ground is much worse than the de facto administration officially acknowledges. The cases of infection and deaths caused by the infection had been hidden for two years in Tskhinvali. They started to publish statistics just a few days ago. Population suspects that the number of infected people is much higher than the official data. According to official information, 317 people were tested for coronavirus on October 29 and 77 of them tested positive for the virus, while the death toll has risen to 134 since the beginning of the pandemic.

The de facto South Ossetian KGB manages lists/queues of people wanting to move to the Tbilisi-controlled territory. However, even in case of health problems, obtaining a permit is associated with corruption.

As of today, the situation is especially bad in Akhalgori. In a settlement with a total of 800 inhabitants, up to 20 new cases of infection are officially reported every day. Due to the lack of appropriate doctors on the spot, Akhalgori hospital is practically empty. Patients are either treated at home or transferred to Tskhinvali.

The Democracy Research Institute calls on the Georgian authorities, with the involvement of international community, to immediately draw up and effectively implement a plan to manage the Tskhinvali epidemic. To increase access to quality health care, it is important to open crossing points that have been closed in recent years and to establish a medical vaccination and testing point near the crossing points; If possible, Tskhinvali should be provided with vaccines, medical equipment and medicines. If desired, COVID patients should be able to receive treatment at hospitals in Tbilisi-controlled areas”, - reads the report of DRI.