Over 10,000 Georgian citizens brought home amid coronavirus outbreak

Georgia has evacuated 10,115 Georgian citizens from abroad amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Out of these citizens 3,946 were brought by land vehicles and 315 by ferry, says the data from the Foreign Ministry.

Georgia has carried out 61 special flights to evacuate Georgians from abroad amid the coronavirus outbreak, said Foreign Minister Zaklaliani earlier today.

In addition to recently carried out flights from Athens, Vienna, Madrid, Copenhagen and Warsaw, Georgia has already carried out special flights to evacuate its citizens from other cities including Berlin, Vienna, London, Amsterdam, Larnaca, Beijing, Rome, Paris, Tel Aviv, Prague and Barcelona.

Our main goal was to take care of our citizens, help them return home as well as support them abroad,” said Zalkaliani.

Georgian diplomatic representations have supported a total of 19,607 Georgian citizens abroad with accommodation, food, basic needs, medicines, financial help, online medical consultations and support to receive medical services.

Zalklaliani noted that the government has placed special focus on caring for people with special needs, which include people with serious illnesses, the elderly, expectant women, minors and other persons with special needs.

As of today, 2,828 people have returned home out of this category of people,” said Zalkaliani.

Zalkaliani noted that 682 students have been brought back to the country including students from the USA.

Additional special flights will be carried out to evacuate Georgians from foreign countries according to the following schedule:

• May 9 – Berlin – Tbilisi
• May 12 – London – Tbilisi
• May 15 – Amsterdam – Tbilisi
• May 18 – Larnaca – Tbilisi
• May 20 – Athens – Tbilisi
• May 22 – Rome – Tbilisi

Zalkaliani noted that Georgia was one of the first countries which evacuated its citizens from coronavirus high risk countries in order to ensure the safety of its citizens.

At an early phase of the virus’ spread, Georgia carried out two special flights from China from where 39 citizens returned home and three special flights from Italy from where 338 citizens were evacuated.

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Georgian citizens who are abroad and want to return to the country have to fill a special electronic application, which is available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and on the websites of the diplomatic missions of Georgia.

Citizens that will come back to Georgia will be placed in 14-day quarantine.

The flights will be carried out by the national flag carrier Georgian Airways, and ticket price will not exceed €199.