State to cover travel expenses of Georgian citizens travelling in Italy after suspending direct flights

After the suspension of direct flights with Italy the travel expenses of Georgian citizens who currently are in Italy will be covered by the state, announces Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava.

I would like to calm down our citizens who intended to return from Italy to Georgia through direct flights. We are already working to organise their return [to Georgia]. The costs will be paid by the government”, Turnava said.

Georgia suspended direct flights with Italy today in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country. Coronavirus in Georgia has mostly been detected in passengers who have travelled in Italy recently.

Yesterday five people tested positive for the new coronavirus in Georgia increasing the total number of people infected in the country to nine. Head of the Georgian National Centre for Disease Control Amiran Gamkrelidze said all of the five people travelled together to Italy and returned to Georgia on Sunday.

Turnava today said that suspending direct flights with Italy was “economically difficult” decision but the health condition of the citizens of Georgia “is priority”.