“Against the background of the pandemic, when many of our citizens lost their jobs and income, it is paramount to ensure the active support of every state agency for maintenance of the jobs for these people. Instead, we witness that Mtskheta Municipality routs the street vendors adjacent to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral – these are about 100 persons holding their vending activity for the last 30 years”, - the Member of the Faction “Alliance of Patriots and Social-Democrats”, Gia Zhorzholiani stated at the briefing today.

Due to the pandemic, the street vending has been suspended and it shall be resumed on July 1.

According to G. Zhorzholiani, these people, based on the decision of Mtskheta Municipality, will be allowed to vend starting of July 1 only for a month and then they shall terminate their activity, otherwise, UNESCO will remove Mtskheta from the list of the Cultural Monuments.

“This is not a serious decision. All conditions shall be adhered to as at the cultural monuments, so regarding the pandemic”, - G. Zhorzholiani noted.

As the vendors asked for an alternative place, the Municipality decided to designate the place at the theatre, which is far from the city and tourists never reach this area. “The vendors are very confused in deciding how to support their families with the minimal incomes they had, as they also have to pay the financial liabilities to the bank. So, I call on Mtskheta Municipality to assume responsibility within its competence and change the decision regarding the street vendors”.