Georgia temporarily bans entry into Georgia for foreigners due to coronavirus

The European Georgia opposition party has urged the government to suspend mandatory pension contributions for eight months due to the situation created by Covid-19 virus. 

Georgian National Disease Control Centre (NDCD) says that one Czech and one Slovak who traveled in Georgia between March 4 and 9 in a six-member tourist group have recently tested positive for Covid-19 in their countries, and have informed the Georgian NCDC of their status, which ‘shows their high sense of responsibility.’ The NCDC says that while in Georgia the tourists had no symptoms and did not call doctors. 

Three individuals have tested positive for the new China-born coronavirus in Georgia, increasing the total number of confirmed cases to 33. All of the three had contact with foreigners from the countries, which are currently the largest centres of the outbreak.

One Georgian citizen who had tested positive for the new China-born coronavirus in February has been reportedly cured. Medical director of Tbilisi Infectious Disease Hospital, Marina Ezugbaia stated  today that the first individual who had tested positive for COVID-19 back on February 26 after returning from Iran, has now tested negative. 

The government of Georgia recommends cafes, restaurants and bars to temporarily restrict “direct service to citizens” and to offer takeout and delivery services instead in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Georgian ski resorts are closing down temporarily as the government of Georgia is placing a limit on crowds and closing public places to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the country. 

Thirteen individuals in  Shida Kartli, Kvemo Kartli, Guria, Adjara and Mtskheta-Mtianeti regions of Georgia have been placed under quarantine for violating self-isolation rules to prevent the further spread of coronavirus, announces the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The Georgian government announced a temporary ban on incoming flights on Monday. However, even before the move streets in the Georgian capital looked deserted as locals stayed home and number of travellers plummeted amid fears around the spread of Covid-19.

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. 

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. 

Several new restrictions have been placed on public transport in Tbilisi to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Starting tomorrow, entrance onto buses will be available from the back door only, as the passenger cabin and driver’s area will be separated to keep drivers safe from coronavirus.

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).

Direct flights between Georgia and Turkey will be suspended starting March 21 as Turkey has imposed restrictions on international flights. Turkey intended to ban flights from Georgia starting March 14, but the countries agreed to postpone the decision until March 21.

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

Georgia’s Ministry of Health has given 30 artificial respirators to the Central Republican Hospital in Tbilisi, where patients with the new coronavirus - COVID-19 symptoms are under the observation of doctors. 

Georgia is completely shutting down air traffic in the country starting tomorrow in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, announced the PM's Advisor for Foreign Affairs Irakli Chikovani today.Chikovani added that only "government-coordinated flights" carried out by the national flag carrier Georgian Airlines will be operated. He also said that every citizen who enters Georgia will be quarantined. 

Starting today Turkey has reopened its borders for citizens of Georgia and 30 other countries seeking medical treatment in the country.  

The ban on regular flights may be extended until the end of July due to the rapid increase in the number of new coronavirus cases in neighboring countries, Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava said earlier today. Turnava mentioned that the main task for the Georgian government is to strengthen the gains made in properly managing the epidemiological situation and protecting the population.

Nothing threatens the relations of Georgia and the European Union due to the ban on transport amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said earlier today.