What to know about new restrictions on Tbilisi public transport due to coronavirus?

Starting tomorrow mini-buses, so-called ‘marshrutkas’, will not serve passengers in Tbilisi and sport and spa venues will be closed to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, as the country has had 34 confirmed cases of the respiratory infection since the end of February. Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated earlier today that public transport - busses and metro - will continue to work in a regular mode and will be disinfected on a daily basis. 

One individual who had contact with three people who were recently infected has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, director of Tbilisi Hospital of Infectious Diseases Marina Ezugbaia stated earlier today. The condition of the new patient is not severe, Ezugbaia said. Since February 26, 2020 Georgia has had 34 confirmed cases of the China-born respiratory infection, with one recovered and discharged yesterday. 

The Georgian government has announced a temporary, two-week closure of its borders for all foreign citizens, with exceptions, to avoid the further spread of the Covid-19 virus. The ban will come into effect starting March 18, at 00:00. The government says that Georgian citizens [and their family members] who want to come back to the country will be able to use the flights of Georgian Airways or Turkish Airlines. 

Georgia and Russia will temporarily ban travel from March 16 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. No restrictions will apply to cargo transportation. Movement will also be temporarily suspended with neighbouring Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey. 

Within the last 24 hours, Georgian law enforcers have placed 22 individuals under quarantine throughout the country for violating self-isolation rules to prevent the further spread of the new coronavirus – Covid-19, reports the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).

Elderly beneficiaries of care homes in Tbilisi will receive food for free starting from today, as soup kitchens have temporarily closed in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus-Covid-19, reports the press office of Tbilisi City Hall.

The Minister of Health of Georgia Ekaterine Tikaridze says the country has enough resources to cope with the coronavirus, including medical staff and equipment. 

Georgian health officials say that Georgia is between the containment and the spread of China-born COVID-19 virus, a respiratory infection which has infected 34 in Georgia since February 26, 2020. Head of Georgia’s Hospital of Infectious Diseases Tenzig Tsertsvadze says as of now the ‘trace has not been lost’ and all the infected know how they contracted the virus. "We have managed to contain the virus so far. However, now we are on the verge of the virus spreading,” Tsertsvadze said. 

Georgia confirmed four new cases of coronavirus earlier today, with the total number of infected individuals in the country standing at 37. Since February 26, 2020 Georgia has had 38 confirmed cases of COVID-19. However, one patient has recovered and was discharged. Director of Tbilisi Hospital of Infections Diseases Marina Ezugbaia said that the new patients had contact with one of the individuals who tested positive for the respiratory infection earlier and is now in hospital.

Some changes are being applied to the entry requirements for truck drivers from coronavirus high-risk countries. If a driver from the coronavirus high-risk country is transporting goods through the territory of Georgia to a third country, they will be escorted by the Patrol Police between the entry and exit customs crossing points of Georgia. When importing goods to Georgia, there are two possible scenarios for drivers upon arrival to the country.

Public transport may be restored in the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi in June, announced Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze today.