Georgian Defence Forces screen over 950,000 citizens at checkpoints

Servicemembers of the Georgian Defence Forces have screened over 950,000 citizens at checkpoints across the country in an effort to monitor health conditions of those travelling on roads amid the new coronavirus outbreak, the Ministry of Defence of Georgia reported on Tuesday.

The ministry said over 1,000 troops were involved in efforts to help limit a spread of the virus at 75 checkpoints across the country operated jointly with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The personnel check health conditions of those driving through the areas by providing thermal screening.

The checkpoints have been set up starting March 22, with GDF servicemembers screening 487,930 vehicles and 962,955 citizens on the roads. These locations have included the Bolnisi and Marneuli municipalities - the two early lockdown spots - as well as a quarantine zone in Kobuleti and other hotspots.

Only vehicles serving medical supply chains, grocery stores and banks are allowed into densely populated areas under lockdown, with locals prohibited from exiting or entering them, the ministry said.

Personnel involved in screening efforts are trained before getting involved, with detailed information on vehicles and number of citizens undergoing thermal screening sent up chains of command.