24 August 2021 – Epidemiological situation in the country is getting worse every day whilst restrictions are becoming more stringent.

Given the epidemiological situation, additional restrictions are imposed:

• Spectators will not be allowed at the World Cup qualifying football fixtures. Fans will not be able to attend the match between Georgia and Kosovo scheduled on 2 September 2021 in Batumi.

• Food facilities will only be allowed to work until 22:00 PM instead of 23:00 PM.

It should be reminded that wearing face masks is mandatory both indoors and outdoors.

In light of the imposition of the new restrictions, those already in place will be subject to a stricter control.

Currently, postponing the local self-government elections, scheduled for 2 October 2021, is not under consideration.

As of 24 August 2021, 5,924 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 60 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. The daily test positivity rate is 12.5% and 10.9% for the last 14 days.

12 August 2021 – In the period of 14 August – 4 September 2021, public transport will not operate across the country.

Georgia’s epidemiological situation is harrowing and getting worse each day. Given the epidemiological situation, the Coordination Council decided to impose the following restrictions on 12 August 2021:

• In the period of 14 August – 4 September 2021, public transport will not operate. This restriction does not apply to intercity transport.

• All types of festivals, entertaining events, concerts and sport competitions are fully prohibited.

• Restrictions are imposed on child entertainment centres.

• Food facilities are allowed to work until 23:00 PM instead of 00:00.

In addition, public institutions were instructed to ensure teleworking of their employees as much as possible. The Coordination Council issued the same recommendation for private employees.

The control over the enforcement of the existing regulations will be as strict as possible.

As of 24 August 2021, 5,128 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 49 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. The daily test positivity rate is 10.4% and for 9.6% for the last 14 days.

9 August 2021 – Regulations will be strictly enforced.

Given the deteriorated epidemiological situation, the Coordination Council started to impose more stringent restrictions. From 10 August 2021, wearing face masks will be mandatory outdoors at places with five or more people. In addition, the monitoring of the restrictions already in place will become more robust.

Food facilities and other ceremonial halls will be fined in the amount of GEL 10,000 for hosting social events such as weddings, funeral repasts, birthday parties, etc., for the first time. For a repeated violation of this regulation, the facilities will be closed down. Of note is that holding crowded social events has already been prohibited by an ordinance of the Government of Georgia, although it seems that the monitoring and the imposition of relevant penalties were not properly carried out.

Nightclubs remain prohibited both indoors and outdoors. This regulation will be more strictly enforced. The government will also commit to a stricter control of food facilities which are not allowed to work from 00:00 to 05:00 AM.

As of 9 August 2021, 2,234 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 44 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. The daily test positivity rate is 9.5% and for 8.7% for the last 14 days.

New restrictions are imposed from 19 July 2021.

The Delta variant circulates increasingly widely in Georgia and the epidemiological situation is getting worse each day. According to the epidemiologists, to some extent this is linked with the lifting of the restrictions. Of note is that wearing face masks outdoors is no longer mandatory.

Given the epidemiological situation, new restrictions are imposed. In particular, the following regulations have been put in place since 19 July 2021:

• Attendance at trainings, conferences and seminars will be allowed only after taking PCR tests.

• All types of summer camps, their form and location notwithstanding, are prohibited.

• Holding sport tournaments and training-competition gatherings for minors under 18 is possible only with the prior PCR testing of all participants.

As of 16 July 2021, 1,653 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported in the last 24 hours in Georgia. The daily test positivity rate is 4.75% and for 4.31% for the last 14 days.

22 June 2021 – Wearing face masks outdoors will no longer be mandatory whilst the curfew will be lifted from 1 July 2021.

From 22 June 2021, wearing face masks outdoors will no longer be mandatory. The administration of the Government of Georgia clarified, however, that despite lifting this restrictions, wearing face masks at crowded places, including bus stops, public transport and indoors, will still be mandatory.

Since 1 July 2021, restriction on movement will be lifted.

As of 22 June 2021, 914 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 24 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 360,055 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 346,217 have recovered and 5,199 have died.

The daily test positivity rate is 9.5% and 8.7% for the last 14 days.

Georgia to open land borders from 1 June 2021.

According to the 25 May 2021 decision of the Interagency Coordination Council, Georgia will open land borders from 1 June 2021. The border crossing will be possible upon presenting proof of vaccination and a negative PCR test result. It is also possible to cross borders with a negative PCR test result conducted in the last 72 hours and in this case, individuals who enter Georgia will be obliged to take another PCR text in the next 72 hours.

In addition, Canada, Japan, Kuwait, China, South Korea, Moldova and Oman were added to the list of countries whose nationals and residents are allowed to enter Georgia upon presenting a negative PCR test results taken in the last 72 hours.

The weekend ban on food facilities will be fully lifted from 1 June 2021. They will be allowed to host guests indoors. The restriction on holding crowded social events (weddings, funeral repasts, banquets, etc.) remains in place.

As of 25 May 2021, 1,354 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 15 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 339,315 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 320,777 have recovered and 4,654 have died.

17 May 2021 – Curfew shortened to 23:00 PM.

Starting today, restriction on movement will be enforced from 23:00 PM instead of 21:00 PM and will end at 05:00 AM.

Food facilities will be allowed to host customers outdoors from this week.

As of 17 May 2021, 504 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 27 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 33,3879 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 320,777 have recovered and 4,654 have died.

26 April 2021 – Additional restriction imposed because of the holidays.

According to the decision of the Interagency Coordination Council, public transport will be suspended across Georgia from 3 to 12 May.

It will be forbidden to enter cemeteries during the holidays. Roads leading to cemeteries will be closed.

Given the Easter service, restriction on movement will be lifted for one night only as an exception from 23:00 PM (1 May) to 04:00 AM (2 May).

The week from 4 to 11 May is declared as a public holiday which aims to reduce mobility.

As of 26 April 2021, 521 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 18 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 304,272 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 287,029 have recovered and 4,043 have died.

18 March 2021 – The Coordination Council decided to leave the curfew in force.

According to the decision of the Interagency Coordination Council, live music will be allowed in the restaurants from 19 March 2021.

From 1 April 2021, child entertainment centres and cinemas will resume to work in strict observance of the regulations.

On 28 March 2021, only 30% of spectators will be allowed at the Georgia – Spain football match.

The Judo Grand Slam is held in Tbilisi and also only 30% of the spectators are allowed.

The restriction on movement from 21:00 PM to 5:00 AM still remains in force.

As of 18 March 2021, 369 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 9 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 276,436 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 269,384 have recovered and 3,674 have died.

On 15 March 2021, the vaccination process started in Georgia. On 13 March 2021, Georgia received 43,200 AstraZeneca vaccine doses through the COVAX platform. At the first stage, health workers will be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine.

24 February 2021 – Plan to gradually lift restrictions.

According to the 24 February 2021 decision of the Interagency Coordination Council, lifting restrictions will start from tomorrow.

From 25 February 2021, public transport will be resumed. In addition, public transport will also work on week-ends.

Hotels at mountain resorts will be opened from 25 February 2021. The cable cars at ski resorts will resume operation from 8 March 2021.

From 1 March 2021, private and public day nurseries will resume working.

From 1 March 2021, higher educational institutions and vocational colleges are allowed to hold clinical, practical and laboratory trainings and exams on-site. From 15 March 2021, they will be allowed to resume the teaching process in classrooms. Higher educational institutions will make this decision independently on their own.

From 1 March 2021, it will be allowed to hold conferences and trainings in observance of the protocol guides. Museums and libraries will also be opened from 1 March 2021.

Indoor dining will be allowed in restaurants (except for week-ends) from 1 March 2021 in Batumi and from 8 March 2021 in the rest of Georgia.

From 8 March 2021, shopping malls and markets will also be open on week-ends.

Gyms will open from 15 March 2021 and after-school activities will also be resumed on the same day.

Hotels in mountain resorts will be opened from 25 February 2021. Mountain resort cable cars will resume operation from March 2021.

Theatres, sport clubs, vocational ensembles will be able to resume repetitions and trainings from 15 Match whilst the full restoration of their work (theatrical plays, sport competitions) is planned for 1 April 2021.

Restriction on movement from 21:00 PM to 05:00 AM remains in force.

From 1 March 2021, the following countries are added to the list of countries where visitors to Georgia are allowed if they present negative PCR tests: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus.

As of 24 February 2021, 443 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and six people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 269,438 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 263,257 have recovered and 3,463 have died.

4 February 2021 – The Government of Georgia unveils plan for lifting the restrictions.

From 8 February 2021, public transport will resume operation across the country. This concerns Tbilisi, Rustavi and Kutaisi where public transport remains suspended. As a reminder, public transport was suspended on 28 November 2020. The restrictions on public transport to suspend operation on week-ends will be kept.

Currently, there are no plans to resume operation of intercity transport.

Markets will resume operation from 8 February 2021 but will be closed on the week-ends.

From 15 February 2021, teaching will be resumed in the public schools of Tbilisi, Rustavi and Kutaisi.

From 15 February 2021, food facilities/restaurants will resume service outdoors except on the week-ends.

All other restrictions, including the ban on movement from 21:00 PM to 05:00 AM, remain in force.

As of 4 February 2021, 583 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 19 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 260,480 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 251,748 have recovered and 3,240 have died.

3 February 2021 – The Minister of Economy warns restaurants of a strong response to disobedience.

Some of the public is protesting against extending the restrictions. Restaurants, fitness centres and child entertainment centres declare civil disobedience and plan to resume operation on 6 February 2021 at their will. The Minister of Economy, Natia Turnava, responded to these plans and stated that disobedience vis-à-vis the imposed restrictions is unacceptable and a strong response will follow.

What are the conditions for foreign nationals to enter Georgia?

The Republic of Turkey was added to the list of countries where visitors can come to Georgia if they present a negative PCR test result.

Since 1 February 2021, Georgia has restored international flights and changed the conditions of entry into the country from abroad. In particular, any foreign national who presents a document of COVID-19 vaccination is allowed to enter Georgia without any additional restrictions. In addition, there is a list of countries where visitors come to Georgia with negative PCR test results and they are required to make a PCR test again on third day of their visit. The list of these countries is as follows: EU member states, Israel, Switzerland, Norway, the USA, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Bahrain.

Entry requirements for Georgian nationals are as follows: in the case of presenting a negative PCR test result, a visitor, upon his choice, will be subject to an eight-day self-isolation or undergo a paid mandatory PCR test on the third day of the visit. If the visitor does not have a PCR test result, he will be subject to an eight-day mandatory self-isolation.

Those individuals (both Georgians and foreign nationals) who have a travel history to the UK in the last 14 days will be subject to a 12-day mandatory quarantine.

As of 3 February 2021, 688 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 13 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 259,897 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 251,077 have recovered and 3,221 have died.

22 January 2021 – Plan to gradually lift restrictions.

On 22 January 2021, the Interagency Coordination Council made a decision to gradually lift restrictions.

From 1 February 2021, public transport will resume operation in Batumi, Zugdidi, Gori, Poti and Telavi, except during the week-ends. It is planned that from 1 March 2021, public transport will also resume operation in Tbilisi, Rustavi and Kutaisi. Currently, the ban on intercity transport remains in force.

From 1 February 2021, shops and trade malls will be opened. In those cities where public transport will resume operations, shops and trade facilities will be closed during the week-ends. From 15 February 2021, outdoor and indoor markets will be opened in all cities.

From 1 February 2021, teaching at schools will be resumed in Batumi, Zugdidi, Gori, Poti and Telavi whilst from 1 March 2021 Tbilisi, Rustavi and Kutaisi will follow suit. It is planned to resume the teaching process in kindergartens as well as in higher educational institutions and vocational colleges from 1 March 2021.

From 1 February 2021, food facilities in Ajara will be able to host their guests outdoor except for during week-ends. In other regions, restaurants and food facilities, including those in the hotels, will continue to operate on a delivery service.

From 1 February 2021 regular flights will be resumed.

Restriction on movement from 21:00 PM to 05:00 AM will remain in force until 1 March 2021.

As of 22 January 2021, 903 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 24 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 251,974 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 238,737 have recovered and 3,022 have died.

11 January 2021 – Restrictions to remain in force until 1 February 2021.

As stated by the Minister of Economy, Natia Turnava, current restrictions will remain in force until 1 February 2021. This means that the resumption of the operation of public transport and the opening of the trade sector was postponed to 1 February 2021.

As a reminder, according to the two-month plan (28 November – 31 January) of restrictions, public and intercity transport should have resumed operation from 16 January 2021 and it was also planned to open trade facilities and indoor/outdoor markets.

As of 11 January 2021, 551 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 23 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 239 780 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 226 215 have recovered and 2 796 have died.

What restrictions will be lifted from 24 December 2020 to 2 January 2021?

According to the decision of the Interagency Coordination Council, restrictions will not be fully lifted from 24 December to 2 January.

The ban on public transport operation in Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Gori, Zugdidi, Poti and Telavi will remain in force. In addition, the ban on intercity transport also remains in force across the country. Movement will be allowed by private cars only.

Market places will not be opened; agrarian market places will continue operation.

From 24 December to 2 January, trade facilities will be opened in big cities. However, additional regulations have been imposed. In particular:

• Shops will be open from 07:00 AM to 19:00 PM.

• Sales will be announced mostly in the morning hours or/and in case of online sales.

• Dressing rooms will be closed in clothing stores.

• Food facilities, including delivery service, will be closed in trade centres.

• Only one customer will be allowed per every 20 square metres in the shop.

• Social distance and proper facemask wearing requirements should be strictly observed.

Hotel restaurants will be opened to 21:00 PM and from 21:00 PM delivery service to the rooms will be allowed. Restaurants and food facilities across the country continue operations on a delivery service alone.

The restriction on movement both by foot and by car from 21:00 PM to 05:00 AM remains in force across the country. New Year’s eve (31 December) and Christmas eve (6 January) will be the only exceptions.

As of 22 December 2020, 3,064 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 42 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 212,526 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 188,408 have recovered and 2,182 have died.

2 December 2021 – Government starts more intensive testing.

According to the decision of the Coordination Council, as a part of the two-month long restriction plan, an intensive testing programme will be implemented across the country and 20,000 tests per day will be made.

Entry requirements have been changed for Georgian nationals. In particular, a Georgian national who enters the country and does not have a negative PCR test result will no longer be transferred to a mandatory quarantine hotel but will be subject to a mandatory 12-day self-isolation. In regard to those citizens who present negative PCR test results taken in the last 72 hours, they will be subject to a mandatory eight-day self-isolation.

As of 26 November 2020, 4,033 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported, 4,061 patients recovered and 39 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 143,376 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 121,621 have recovered and 1,342 have died.

Restrictions which will be imposed from 28 November 2020.

The Interagency Coordination Council imposed restrictions which cover a two-month period (from 28 November to 31 January).

In the period of 28 November – 2 January, the following restrictions will be imposed across the country:

• All pedestrian and motorised traffic from 21:00 PM to 05:00 AM as well as being outdoors is prohibited (the exception will be New Year’s eve on 31 December and Christmas eve on 6 January).

• Regular intercity transportation of passenger by rail, bus or mini bus. This restriction does not apply to light vehicles (including taxis).

• Restaurants and food facilities are completely switched to a delivery service.

• Fitness halls and swimming pools are closed.

• Activities of sport, artistic and cultural fields/studios are restricted.

• All kinds of conferences, trainings, cultural and entertaining events are allowed in an online format only.

Additional restrictions are imposed in bigger cities – Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Gori, Poti, Zugdidi and Telavi as well as in ski resorts – Bakuriani, Gudauri, Goderdzi and Mestia:

• Public transport suspends operation in Tbilisi, Telavi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Gori, Poti and Zugdidi within the respective municipal boundaries.

• Trade facilities (except for grocery stores, pet shops, pharmacies, pet pharmacies, chemists and hygiene shops as well as newsstands) will only work online.

• Indoor and outdoor marketplaces are to be closed except for agrarian markets.

• Schools, vocational colleges and higher educational facilities (except for medical education programmes) are fully switched to an online mode.

• Private and public kindergartens are closed.

• Hotels at ski resorts are only allowed to open as quarantine spaces.

• Ski slopes and ski lifts will not operate.

Restrictions will be relaxed in the period of 24 December – 2 January:

Shopping malls, outdoor and indoor marketplaces will be opened across the country.

Both public and intercity transport will resume operation.

In the period of 3 January – 15 January:

• All of those restrictions which were in force from 28 November to 24 December will be reinstated.

• Public holidays are announced – Public and private institutions, except for banks and facilities and services of strategic importance, will be closed.

16 January – 31 January 2021

Public and intercity transport will resume operation across the country as well as trade facilities and indoor/outdoor marketplaces will be opened (except for week-ends).

Throughout this whole period, restrictions do not apply to the list of economic activities as follows:

• State and private construction-development activities.

• Banking and financial activities.

• Grocery, animal food, pharmacy, vet-pharmacy, household chemicals and hygiene shops and newspaper kiosks.

• Delivery and takeaway.

• Beauty salons and aesthetic-medicine centres.

• Car repair services and technical inspection services.

• Agrarian markets.

• Some others.

In addition, movement by light vehicles (including taxis) is not prohibited.

As of 26 November 2020, 3,801 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 39 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 118,690 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 98,781 have recovered and 1,124 have died.

9 November 2021 – Curfew is imposed in bigger cities from 22:00 PM to 05:00 AM.

According to the decision of the Interagency Coordination Council, both pedestrian and motorised traffic is prohibited in bigger cities – Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Zugdidi, Gori, Poti – from 22:00 PM to 05:00 AM beginning on 9 November 2020. This restriction does not apply to international cargo transportation as well as to those individuals and vehicles whose movement is crucial to carry out professional duties, including medical and pharmaceutical personnel, journalists, workers at facilities of strategic importance and delivery couriers.

From 9 November 2020, all organisations will work until 22:00 PM except for medical and pharmaceutical facilities and facilities of strategic importance.

From 9 November 2021, both public and private kindergartens were temporarily closed in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Zugdidi, Gori and Poti.

As of 9 November 2020, 2,927 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 24 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 60,680 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 45,042 have recovered and 499 have died.

4 November 2021 – All day nurseries to close in Tbilisi.

Given the deteriorated epidemiological situation, all day nurseries will be closed in Tbilisi starting from tomorrow.

As of 4 November 2020, a record high 2,295 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 19 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 46,817 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 31,170 have recovered and 381 have died.

3 November 2021 – Wearing face masks outdoors becomes mandatory.

According to the decision of the Interagency Coordination Council, wearing facemasks will be mandatory both indoors and outdoors. A GEL 20 penalty will be applied to those who violate the mandatory outdoor face mask wearing rule.

Restaurants will be open until 22:00 PM nationwide. Previously, this restriction applied to restaurants in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Mtskheta and Batumi only.

According to the decision of the Government of Georgia, in the period of 4 November – 25 November, teaching in schools in Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi, Telavi, Zugdidi, Zestaponi, Gori, Poti, Marneuli and Gardabani will continue in an online mode. The teaching process is in an online mode in Ajara as well.

As of 3 November 2020, 1,943 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported and 20 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 44,522 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 28,633 have recovered and 362 have died.

23 October – Home care recommendations for patients with confirmed COVID-19 cases.

As of 23 October 2020, a record high 1,759 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported in the last 24 hours in Georgia. Of that amount, 686 cases were reported in Tbilisi and 356 in Imereti. In total, there are 24,562 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 9,751 have recovered and 183 have died.

On 23 October 2020, the Interagency Coordination Council issued a strict recommendation to wear face masks outdoors in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi. Citizens have to wear face masks especially in places where it is impossible to observe social distancing (for instance, bus stops). This process will be monitored by the Labour Inspection and Ministry of Internal Affairs. Currently, wearing face masks outdoors is not mandatory and, therefore, the violation of this rule does not imply a penalty.

Given the rapid spread of COVID-19 and the overloading of the hospital sector, patients with mild COVID-19 cases are put into home care. The Government of Georgia issued home care recommendations for patients with confirmed COVID-19 cases:

1. Stay at home.

2. Remain isolated for most of your time.

3. If contact with a family member is inevitable, all family members have to wear face masks.

4. Do not use items of common use.

5. Frequently air the room.

6. Clean and carefully scrub surfaces which are frequently touched as well as restrooms.

7. Drink plenty of liquids and do not take antibiotics or other medication without a doctor’s prescription.

8. In case of coughing symptoms, avoid lying on your back.

9. Carefully monitor your symptoms – if your health situation deteriorates significantly or rapidly – you have difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, face or lip cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin), etc. – contact your family doctor or 112. The operator needs to be informed that the patient has a confirmed case of COVID-19.

21 October 2021

Mandatory quarantine rules for the Georgian nationals have been changed. In particular, Georgian nationals returning to the country and presenting a negative PCR test result will be required to self-isolate themselves instead of going into mandatory quarantine. If they do not present a negative PCR test result, they will be moved into a quarantine space.

From 1 November 2020 regular flights will be gradually resumed. From 1 November 2021, regular flights will be resumed from Tbilisi International Airport to the following destinations: Doha, Warsaw, Amsterdam, Vienna, Berlin and Milan and to Katowice, Vilnius and Dortmund from Kutaisi International Airport. Since August 2020, regular flights have been flying only to Munich, Paris and Riga.

Given the deteriorated epidemiological situation, restaurants and other entertainment facilities will be allowed to serve customers until 22:00 PM from 16 October 2020. From 20 October 2020, this regulation will apply to restaurants in Mtskheta as well.

Georgia’s epidemiological situation has been worsening day by day and the government is not planning to introduce stricter measures. In the last two weeks, 11,455 people were infected and 110 patients died. As of 21 October 2020, 1,351 new COVID-19 cases were reported and 14 people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 21,208 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 9,003 have recovered and 172 have died.

28 September 2020 – Resumption of instruction in kindergartens postponed until 12 October 2020.

As stated by the Minister of Education, Mikheil Chkhenkeli, instruction in kindergartens will be resumed on 12 October 2020 across the country except for Ajara. We would like to remind readers that opening kindergartens was planned for 1 October 2020.

From 19 October 2021, classroom teaching will be resumed in vocational colleges and higher educational facilities across the country except for Ajara.

As of 28 September 2020, a record high 298 new COVID-19 cases were reported and three people died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. Of these cases, 175 were reported in Ajara. In total, there are 5,552 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 2,054 have recovered and 31 have died.

24 September 2021 – Record high number of infections and additional restrictions.

According to the decision of the Interagency Coordination Council, in Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi and Zugdidi, classroom teaching will be resumed only for pupils of I-VI grades. In regard to Poti and Gori, classroom teaching will be resumed for all pupils from 1 October 2020. The schools in Ajara will continue teaching in an online mode.

Teaching in vocational colleges and higher educational facilities in Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi and Zugdidi will continue in an online mode.

Given the existing epidemiological situation, more stringent restrictions will be introduced in the Ajara Autonomous Republic where public transport will suspend operation and restaurants will be allowed to operate only until 22:00.

As of 24 September 2020, a record high 259 new COVID-19 cases were reported and one person died in the last 24 hours in Georgia. Of these cases, 164 were reported in Ajara. In total, there are 4,399 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 1,705 have recovered and 26 have died.

22 September 2020 – Georgia’s epidemiological situation has deteriorated sharply in the last two weeks.

As of 22 September 2020 218 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours in Georgia. This is the highest number of confirmed cases thus far. Of these 218 cases, 137 were reported in Ajara, 47 in Tbilisi, six in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, 26 in Imereti and two in Guria. In total, there are 4,399 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 1,705 have recovered and 26 have died.

On 22 September 2020 another three patients died from COVID-19 in Georgia.

In total, there are 3,913 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 1,574 have recovered and 23 have died.

In addition, it was reported today that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany warns its citizens and calls on them to avoid non-essential travel to Georgia. The reason behind this warning is the recent jump in confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia.

Latvia and Lithuania also imposed stricter measures vis-à-vis Georgia and passengers travelling from Georgia will be required to undergo mandatory self-isolation.

11 September 2020 – Teaching in schools and universities in Tbilisi and other large cities will be resumed online.

According to the decision of the Government of Georgia, teaching in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Gori, Zugdidi and Poti will start in an online mode on 15 September 2020. Classroom teaching in bigger cities will be resumed from 1 October 2020. This decision concerns both public and private schools and universities. The resumption of the teaching process was also postponed in Batumi and Kobuleti.

As of 11 September 2020, a record high 87 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 1,197 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 1,354 have recovered and 19 have died.

10 September 2020 – Epidemiological situation deteriorates every day.

In the previous days, Georgia’s epidemiological situation has sharply deteriorated. As of 10 September 2020, a record high 57 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours in Georgia. The authorities say that the second wave of the pandemic has started. From today, certain restrictions (banning social events and gatherings of more than 200 persons) has been introduced. Currently, there are no plans to declare a state of emergency in the country. In addition, it is not considered to lockdown Ajara which is an epidemic red zone.

On 10 September 2020, control check-points were installed in the villages of Orbeli and Lajana in the Tsageri municipality because of heightened epidemiological risks. People entering and leaving these villages are subject to thermal screening and PCR testing. There were seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in the municipality in the last 24 hours.

In total, there are 1,830 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 1,334 have recovered and 19 have died.

Social events are banned from 10 September 2020.

According to the 9 September 2020 decision of the Interagency Coordination Council, more stringent measures were introduced as a result of the deteriorating epidemiological situation. In particular:

• From 10 September 2020, funeral repasts, birthday parties and other social events are banned again.

• Opening of theatres, cinemas and children’s entertainment centres was postponed for a month. These facilities were scheduled to open from 15 September 2020.

• From 10 September 2020, sport and cultural events where the number of participants exceeds 200 are banned. The 200-person restriction does not apply to election agitation and campaign events.

• No celebratory ceremonies will be held in schools on 15 September 2020.

• In addition, the Tbilisoba holiday will not be celebrated this year.

• From today, some COVID-19 infected patients will be treated in quarantine spaces.

As of 9 September 2020, 44 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 1,773 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 1,325 have recovered and 19 have died.

7 September – Deteriorated epidemiological situation and decisions of the Coordination Council.

According to the 7 September 2020 decision of the Interagency Coordination Council, the mandatory quarantine duration will be reduced from the current 12 days to eight days from 15 September 2020. The quarantined persons will have a PCR test on the eighth day and will be released from quarantine on the ninth day if the test result is negative. Taking another test on the 12th day is obligatory.

From 15 September 2020, foreign nationals entering Georgia should present a negative PCR test result which has been taken in the last 72 hours. This decision concerns nationals of those EU member states (Germany, France, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia) which had their border open for Georgia and were coming to the country without any conditions.

Given the deteriorated epidemiological situation, the teaching process in Batumi and Kobuleti will be in an online mode from 15 September 2020 whilst classroom teaching will be resumed from 1 October 2020. In addition, control over social and ceremonial events (weddings, repasts, etc.) indoors will become stricter.

As of 7 September 2020, 34 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours in Georgia and 20 of them were reported in Batumi. In total, there are 1,684 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 1,315 have recovered and 19 have died.

2 September 2020 – Mestia and Lenjeri are open.

From today, Mestia and the village of Lenjeri are no longer under lockdown. The Mestia municipality was closed on 10 August 2020 because of the deteriorated epidemiological situation.

On 2 September 2020, the Hotel Oasis in Chakvi was put under lockdown. The hotel hosted a medical conference where 400 Georgian doctors attended with one of them testing positive. This was followed by an epidemiological study and testing the doctors for infection.

On 2 September 2020, 38 new COVID-19 cases were reported which is a record high figure since April 2020. In total, there are 1,548 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 1,270 have recovered and 19 have died.

21 August 2021 – Lockdown lifted in the Mestia municipality except for the Mestia townlet and the village of Lenjeri.

From today, all villages in the Mestia municipality will be opened except for the Mestia townlet and the village of Lenjeri. Intensive testing of the population in both the Mestia townlet and the village of Lenjeri will continue.

As of 21 August 2020, 15 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours in Georgia. Of those cases, sources of two of the infections remain unknown. In total, there are 1,385 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 1,128 have recovered and 17 have died.

19 August 2021 – Targeted coronavirus testing circle expands on the Black Sea coast.

According to the decision of the Interagency Coordination Council, COVID-19 testing will be expanded in the tourist regions, particularly in sea resorts. The service personnel of cafes, bars, night clubs and restaurants will be added to the target groups. The mandatory testing of the personnel of these facilities will start from tomorrow. In addition, tents will be installed along Batumi Boulevard where people will have an opportunity to take a test voluntarily.

As of 19 August 2020, there is a total of 1,361 confirmed cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 1,098 have recovered and 17 have died.

12 August 2021 – Length of quarantine and self-isolation shortened by two days.

According to the decision of the Government of Georgia, the length of the mandatory quarantine will be 12 days instead of 14 days as of 12 August 2021 whilst the duration of self-isolation will be the same.

10 August 2020 – Mestia townlet as well as the villages of Ushguli and Lenjeri are under lockdown.

On 10 August 2020, 25 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Georgia and of that amount 17 were reported in the Mestia municipality.

Given the deteriorated epidemiological situation, a lockdown has been introduced in the Mestia townlet as well as in the villages of Ushguli and Lenjeri. Entry and exit in and out of the Mestia municipality was banned and movement between the villages of the municipality was restricted.

Only pharmacies, banks, grocery and outdoor dining facilities will be allowed to stay opened in the Mestia townlet and in the villages of Ushguli and Lenjeri. The police will control entry-exit in and out of Mestia. All citizens who will leave the Mestia municipality will have to undergo a mandatory quarantine. Social distancing in crowded places as well as wearing face masks indoors and hand hygiene will be strictly monitored. Intensive epidemiological surveys and testing will be conducted in the Mestia municipality.

As of 10 August 2020, there are 1,250 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 1,010 have recovered and 17 have died.

On 10 August 2020, the strict lockdown imposed in the village of Karajalari in the Gardabani municipality on 24 July 2020 was lifted.

27 July 2021 – Georgian nationals allowed to travel to Turkey for work.

According to the 27 July 2020 decision of the Interagency Coordination Council, Georgian nationals will be allowed to travel to Turkey if they submit an official three-month invitation issued by an employer from Turkey. Upon their return to Georgia, they will have to quarantine for 14 days.

As stated by the Head of the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health, Amiran Gamkrelidze, PCR tests will be taken at all market places since market places are heightened risk zones for the spread of infection. Currently, robust testing is carried out at the Lilo market place.

As of 27 July 2020, there are 1,137 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 922 have recovered and 16 have died.

24 July 2020 – Lockdown was imposed in the village of Karajalari in the Gardabani municipality located 20 kilometres from Tbilisi.

Given the deteriorated epidemiological situation, control check-points were installed at the entrance and exit of the village.

There is a rising number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country. As of 24 July 2020, 19 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours. Of that amount, the source of infection is unknown for three cases. In total, there are 1,104 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 912 have recovered and 16 have died.

22 July 2020 - As of 22 July 2020, 24 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours. Of that amount, the source of infection is unknown for two cases. In total, there are 1,073 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 907 have recovered and 16 have died.

21 July 2020 – The epidemiological situation has worsened in the Gardabani municipality. Mass testing of the population of the villages of Karajalari and Karaklia in the municipalities is in progress.

From 20 July 2020, any social events, including celebratory and ritual ceremonies, are allowed outdoors. The number of participants should not exceed 100.

On 20 July 2020, another patient died from a COVID-19 infection. In total, there are 1,039 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 900 have recovered and 16 have died.

From 13 July 2020, it is allowed to:

• Hold rehearsals indoors.

• Conduct cultural events outdoors. The number of attendants should not exceed 200.

As of 13 July 2020, nine new COVID-19 cases were reported in Georgia and all nine cases were imported from abroad. In total, there are 995 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 857 have recovered and 15 have died.

8 July 2020 – Georgia unconditionally opens borders to Germany, France and the Baltic countries.

According to the 8 July 2020 decision of the Interagency Coordination Council, Georgia opened borders to five EU member states (Germany, France, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia). Nationals/residents of these countries will be allowed to make any type of visit to Georgia, although they have to enter Georgia by direct flights.

Safety Rules:

• All foreign nationals, prior to crossing the Georgian border, have to fill out a special electronic questionnaire where they must indicate their travel history for the last 14 days, the place of stay in Georgia during their visit, contact information, etc.

• If their body temperature is above 37 degrees after a thermal screening at the border, they will have to take a PCR test at the airport.

• Those individuals who have a travel history in the non-EU member states of higher risk within the last 14 days will be obliged to quarantine and take a test.

In contrast to foreign nationals, Georgian citizens returning to Georgia from EU member states after any type of visit will have to quarantine for 14 days.

In regard to other EU member states which opened their borders for Georgia unconditionally or with certain restrictions, their nationals will be allowed to enter Georgia with a 14-day mandatory quarantine for which they will have to pay for the costs themselves. In addition, business visits from all countries are allowed provided they are agreed beforehand with the relevant Georgian authorities. In addition, they are obliged to take a mandatory paid PCR test once every 72 hours or be quarantined for 14 days, also at their own expenses.

There are ongoing talks with air companies to restore regular flights to five EU member states. Currently, an agreement has been reached only with Lufthansa to have two flights per week to Munich starting from August 2020.

As of 8 July 2020, there are 963 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 841 have recovered and 15 have died.

What restrictions are lifted from 6 July 2020?

From 6 July 2020, it will be allowed to:

• Hold trainings and conferences indoors.

• Open outdoor attractions.

• Open vocational colleges.

According to the 6 July 2020 decision of the Interagency Coordination Council, swimming pools and gyms which will observe the existing regulations will be opened.

July flights schedule:

In order to bring Georgian nationals back from abroad to Georgia in an organised manner, Wizz Air and Myway Airlines will resume flights throughout July. The timetable for the flights is as follows: 13 July – Warsaw, 15 July – Barcelona, 17 July – Rome, 22 July – Paris and 28 July – Athens.

The cost of tickets on these flights will not exceed EUR 200 for Georgian nationals. Of note is that Georgian nationals will have to quarantine for 14 days upon their return to Georgia.

As of 6 July 2020, there are 953 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 830 have recovered and 15 have died.

From 1 July 2020, the EU opened air borders to Georgia. There are an additional 14 countries, together with Georgia, which make up the EU’s list of safe countries. The list of safe countries will be subject to revision once every two weeks.

Of note is that Georgia will only have charter flights in July. Georgia had no leverage to control the opening of regular flights despite the announcement it made as early as in May about welcoming international tourists from 1 July 2020.

1 July 2020 – the lockdown was lifted in the village of Mushevani in the Bolnisi municipality. A strict lockdown was imposed in Mushevani on 25 April 2020. Currently, there are no quarantined areas in the country.

28 June 2020 – 15th patient died from COVID-19 infection.

25 June 2020 – International tourism will not commence from 1 July 2020. The ban on international flights was extended to the end of the month.

19 June 2020 – According to the decision of the Government of Georgia, holding seminars and trainings outdoors as well as adventure travel (such as rafting, kayaking, canyoning, water, air and land adventure activities) are now allowed.

15 June 2020 – Indoor places where wearing face masks is mandatory.

The Government of Georgia determined those indoor places where wearing face masks will be mandatory. From 15 June 2020, physical and legal entities will be subject to penalties, envisaged by the law, if they breach the face mask wearing rules.

Wearing face masks will be mandatory in the following places:

• Reception areas of public and private institutions.

• At meetings held in public and private institutions where it is impossible to observe a two-metre social distancing.

• Communal elevators and shopping malls.

• Beauty salons and aesthetic medicine centres.

• Schools, vocational colleges and universities.

• Public transport and taxis.

The mandatory face mask rule will not apply to:

• Children under six.

• Those individuals who are unable to wear face masks because of medical conditions (for instance, those who have problems of their respiratory system such as chronic lung diseases, bronchial asthma, etc.) as well as to people with disabilities.

On 15 June 2020, the strict lockdown was lifted in the village of Geta in the Bolnisi municipality. In order to curb the spread of the coronavirus, a strict lockdown was imposed in Geta on 15 May 2020.

On 15 June 2020, Georgian Railway resumed transportation of passengers. Passengers will undergo mandatory thermal screening and those with a fever will be denied boarding. In addition, wearing face masks will be mandatory during travel.

On 15 June 2020 domestic tourism was opened in Georgia.

As of 15 June 2020, 15 new COVID-19 cases were reported. In total there are 879 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 704 have recovered and 14 have died.

On 13 June 2020, another COVID-19 patient died in Georgia. This is the 14th case of a COVID-19 death in the country.

12 June 2020 – Penalties for violating face mask wearing rules.

On 12 June 2020, the Parliament of Georgia adopted a draft law on the face mask wearing rule at the third hearing. The amendment was made in the Administrative Offences Code of Georgia, saying that the violation of the face mask wearing rule indoors during the pandemic or/and epidemic will result in a GEL 20 penalty for a physical person and a GEL 500 penalty for a legal entity if the latter allows a person without face masks indoors. Wearing a face mask whilst using public transport or taxi is also mandatory during the pandemic or/and epidemic. The penalty for the transgressors is also GEL 20.

Of note is that the violation of the isolation and quarantine rules (which includes a ban on gatherings of more than ten persons) will lead to a GEL 2,000 penalty for a physical person and a GEL 10,000 penalty for a legal entity.

On 12 June 2020, there were 12 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of that amount, there are six health workers of the Republican Hospital. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia rose to 843 with 687 recoveries and 13 deaths. Of additional note is that there were several cases reported in the last few days with an unknown source of origin which contributes to the higher risks of spreading the infection in the country.

According to the decision of the Interagency Coordination Council, given the heightened epidemiological risks, control over the established rules and standards will become stricter in places of public gatherings, including restaurants, recreational areas as well as public transport. The legally envisioned penalties will be applied to the transgressors.

Today, on 11 June 2020, three health workers of the Tbilisi Republican Hospital tested positive for COVID-19. The first case of a confirmed COVID-19 infection at the Republic Hospital was reported yesterday on 10 June 2020. The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases increased to 831.

As of 11 June 2020, six new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours in Georgia and in four cases the source of infection remains unknown. In total, there are 828 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 694 have recovered and 13 have died.

10 June 2020 – Georgia in the COVID-19 safety ranking.

In the report published by the Deep Knowledge Group, Georgia is in the 39th position among 200 countries in terms of the COVID-19 safety ranking and is a top performer in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region.

Safety and risks are measured by different parameters, including quarantine efficiency, risk management, monitoring and detection, healthcare readiness, regional resiliency and emergency preparedness.

As of 10 June 2020, four new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours in Georgia and four patients recovered. In total, there are 822 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 690 have recovered and 13 have died.

9 June 2020 – Requirements to take part in national exams are determined.

According to the information of the Ministry of Education, the unified national exams will start on 6 July 2020 and end on 25 July 2020. The scholarship competition will take place on 25 July 2020. The master’s-level examinations will be held from 1 to 4 August 2020.

The following rules need to be observed in the examinations centres:

• If a candidate has a fever in the days prior to the examination, he has to take a PCR test and submit a document that he is not infected. In addition, if he has a chronic fever, he must submit a document from a medical facility (form N100).

• If a candidate has a temperature equal or above to 370C, the temperature must be verified in 15 minutes by a mercury-in-glass thermometer.

• If after verification a candidate has a temperature above 37.50C and he does not have a negative PCR test result taken prior to the examination (not more than two to three days before), he will be removed from the examination.

• If after verification a candidate has a temperature below 37.50C and does not have a negative PCR test result taken not more than two to three days prior to the examination, the issue of whether or not he is allowed to take the exam will be decided by a doctor on the basis of assessing his health. In particular, if a candidate does not exhibit any symptoms characteristic to a respiratory infection, the candidate will be placed in a common sector. In case a temperature is also accompanied by any of the infection’s symptoms, a candidate will be placed in a separate reserve room at a desk equipped with a protective shield and at a two-metre distance from the other desks in the same room.

• If a temperature is 37.50C (even if no symptoms are exhibited), a candidate is placed in a separate reserve room.

Wearing face masks as well as observing safe distance and hygiene rules are mandatory in the examination centres.

As of 5 June 2020, four new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours in Georgia. In total, there are 805 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 650 have recovered and 13 have died.

On 4 June 2020, the Government of Georgia published a report on measures against COVID-19.

On 2 June 2020, another 13th patient died from the COVID-19 infection.

Amendments to the ordinance of the Government of Georgia on isolation and quarantine rules.

On 2 June 2020, amendments were made to the ordinance of the Government of Georgia on isolation and quarantine rules. From 8 June 2020, all economic activities will be allowed except for:

a) Organising/holding sport, cultural and entertainment events.

b) Sports and recreational procedures/activities.

From 8 June 2020, intercity transport will also resume operation, although passenger travel by rail remains banned.

As of 2 June 2020, there are 786 confirmed new COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 634 have recovered and 12 have died.

The number of novel coronavirus confirmed cases rises.

The number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 has been growing in the past few days. As of 1 June 2020, 11 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours in Georgia and the number of new confirmed cases on 31 and 30 May were 26 and 11, respectively. In total, there are 794 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 624 have recovered and 12 have died.

Last week, new COVID-19 cases were reported in Tbilisi’s Saburtalo district and the so-called Saburtalo cluster was established. According to the latest reports, 23 people from that cluster tested positive for COVID-19.

On 29 May 2020, the Minister of Health signed a decree on workplace recommendations to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

General Recommendations:

General recommendations are mandatory for all sectors. All employees have to ensure the following:

• Engineering controls (for instance: protective barriers, etc.).

• Administrative controls (instructions, trainings, supplying with disinfection means, drafting emergency action plans).

• Personal protective equipment use (face masks, safety goggles, gloves, coveralls).

• Natural ventilation of indoor air, wet cleaning of workplaces and disinfection has to be carried out several times per day.

Control measures should include:

• Calls to employees with suspected infection to stay at home.

• Cutting workplace contact between individuals to a minimum by the introduction of teleworking.

• Introduction of working during alternate days or in shifts to reduce the number of employees simultaneously present at the workplace/facility.

• Delivering trainings and instructions for employees about the virus spread risks and preventive control measures.

Recommendations for public transport:

• Wearing face masks in public transport is mandatory.

• Transfer of standing passengers by mini-buses is prohibited.

• Transport windows should constantly remain open.

• Mandatory conditional signposts will be established to ensure safe distancing and customer flow control.

Recommendations for beauty salons and aesthetic medicine centres:

• Use of a booking system.

• Control of customers in the workplace. In particular, one customer and one service personnel are allowed per 5 square metres.

• A safe distance (at least two metres) between two working spaces or the isolation of these spaces is mandatory.

• Prior entrance to the facility, employees and visitors have to undergo thermal screening and hand hygiene procedures.

• Wearing face masks is mandatory both for the employees and customers.

Recommendations for shopping malls:

• Thermal screening.

• Customer flow control in the communal space of the malls and observance of relevant safe distance.

• Constant ventilation of the working space.

• Dressing rooms in clothes stores need to be cleaned with a disinfection mixture once every two hours and fully disinfected at the end of the day.

• Wearing face masks is mandatory inside shopping malls.

• Cinemas and entertainment centres in shopping malls, as well as dining facilities, remain closed.

Recommendations for market places:

• Thermal screening and hand sanitising of customers at communal entrances.

• Natural ventilation of air indoor/storage periodically, several times per day.

• Disinfection of the territory at the end of the day and a registration of the work performed.

• Wet cleaning and disinfection of workplaces.

• Sufficient number of hand washing stations and restrooms at proper places in the market place area.

• At least two-metre social distancing between customers/buyers.

• Banning customers without face masks and gloves from entering the market place.

Recommendations for restaurants:

• Customers are hosted with a prior booking system to avoid crowding.

• Places for guests should be selected beforehand (by marking on the floor and in observance of social distance).

• Mandatory daily video screening or thermal screening of employees and customers.

• Transparent protective shield installed at cash registers to avoid direct contact with the customers.

• Detailed recommendations have been issued to control the number of customers and keep safe distances (where tables and protective barriers should be placed, what is the maximum allowed number of guests at one table, etc.).

Click here to see detailed recommendations for different types of workplaces.

From 29 May 2020 public transport will resume operation.

According to the 27 May 2020 decision of the Government of Georgia, a number of pandemic-induced restrictions will be lifted.

From 29 May 2020, all public transport, including the subway, will continue operation. It will be mandatory to wear face masks on public transport. In addition, air conditioning is prohibited in buses and minibuses whilst windows must remain open and the vehicle must be ventilated. The number of passengers on public transport will be capped. Patrol police, together with the municipal services, will be in charge of controlling passenger flow.

From 1 June 2020, all types of shops, including shopping malls as well as all types of (indoor and outdoor) market places and outdoor restaurants. will be opened.

From 8 June 2020, intercity transport will resume operation. In addition, restaurants will be fully opened and allowed to offer all types of services as previously. In addition, hotels which undergo inspection from the relevant body of the Ministry of Healthcare and obtain a special permit will be allowed to open.

Georgia’s epidemiological situation has improved considerably. According to the data of the last ten days, the confirmed coronavirus cases remain in single digits and 76% of the infected patients have already recovered. As of 27 May 2020, three new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours and 20 patients recovered. In total, there are 735 confirmed new COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 557 have recovered and 12 have died.

From 23 May 2020, the state of emergency will be lifted, although the government will be able to impose restrictions without a state of emergency.

The state of emergency will be lifted in Georgia from 23 May 2020. Therefore, the curfew will also be abolished. In addition, the restriction over the transportation of more than three people will apply to taxis only.

The recommendation for people over 70 years of age to stay home is scrapped. However, the recommendation that they should stay home unless absolutely necessary remains in place.

Lockdowns in the villages of Mushevani and Geta in the Bolnisi municipality remain in place. The Tetristskaro municipality is also a quarantine zone.

In parallel with lifting the state of emergency on 22 May 2020, the Parliament of Georgia hastily adopted a draft law which allows the government to introduce restrictions. In particular, owing to the amendments made to the Law of Georgia on Public Health, the authorities will be allowed to take quarantine measures without declaring a state of emergency which means that they will be able to restrict economic activity, property ownership, assembly and other human rights. The President of Georgia has already signed the law. Of note is that the restrictions are temporary and will be in force until 15 July 2020.

According to the decision of the Interagency Coordination Council, the following restrictions will remain in place from 23 May 2020:

• Wearing face masks indoors, including shopping malls, will be mandatory together with keeping social distance.

• Export of medical products from Georgia remains limited.

• Restaurants and bars cannot serve customers on site.

• Hotels remain closed except for those turned into quarantine spaces.

• Trade with garments and footwear remains restricted.

• Trade centres and shopping malls remain closed.

• Sport and cultural facilities remain closed whilst sport and cultural events remain prohibited.

• Gambling is allowed in an online mode only.

• Some state services will continue operation online.

• Currently, restrictions on public transport will remain in place.

As of 22 May 2020, there are 723 confirmed new COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 495 have recovered and 12 have died.

State of emergency to be lifted after 22 May 2020.

As stated by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia, the Government of Georgia will not ask the President of Georgia to extend the state of emergency after 22 May 2020.

Given the worsened epidemiological situation, stricter measures were imposed in the Bolnisi municipality. Together with the village of Mushevani where strict quarantine measures were already in place, a lockdown was also imposed in the village of Geta. In the last 24 hours, there 17 confirmed cases reported in the aforementioned villages of the Bolnisi municipality.

From 18 May 2020, beauty salons and aesthetic medicine centres will be opened. In addition, the prohibition of gatherings of more than three people is lifted, although the prohibition of gatherings of more than ten people remains in place. Furthermore, transportation of more than three people (including the driver) by car is still prohibited.

On 14 May 2020, restrictions on entry/exit to and from Rustavi and Gardabani were lifted. On 18 May 2020, the similar restriction was also lifted in Marneuli.

As of 15 May 2020, there are 671 confirmed new COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 393 have recovered and 12 have died.

11 May 2020 – Restrictions on travel to and from Tbilisi were lifted.

From today, restrictions on travel to and from Tbilisi were lifted. Currently, three cities – Marneuli, Rustavi and Gardabani – remain under lockdown in Georgia. Lockdown in Rustavi and Gardabani will be lifted on 14 May 2020 and Marneuli will follow suit on 18 May 2020.

From 11 May 2020, all types of businesses were opened. In addition, all retail and wholesale shops which have entrance from the street, except for garment and footwear shops, have been opened. Currently, trade centres and shopping malls remain closed.

As of 10 May 2020, 64 of the 90 registered agrarian market places have already been opened.

As of 11 May 2020, three new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Georgia, eight patients have recovered and one died. In total, there are 638 confirmed new COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 317 have recovered and 11 have died.

4 May 2020 – Some restrictions to be lifted from tomorrow.

From 5 May 2020, the second stage of the economic opening plan will be launched. In particular, the following activities will be allowed:

• All types of construction-repair work, the production of construction materials and activities related to construction supervision.

• Vehicle technical services and car washing.

From 5 May 2020, restrictions on travel to Kutaisi and Batumi (entry and exit) will be lifted.

From 5 May 2020, public service halls and public centres will resume operations (except for quarantine zones). Their operation will be resumed under a new principle. In particular, citizens have to make a booking on the my.gov.ge portal to visit for services they need.

Agricultural market places are gradually being opened. According to the information of the National Food Agency, currently nearly 30 agrarian market places are open across the country.

As of 4 May 2020, there are 593 confirmed new COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 223 have recovered and nine have died.

24 April 2020 – Anti-crisis plan.

On 24 April 2020, Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia unveiled an anti-crisis plan to overcome economic and social challenges amid the pandemic. The plan envisions financial assistance for different groups of people as well as certain tax relief for business. The anti-crisis plan also includes a gradual lifting of restrictions on economic activities. The gap between the stages will be approximately two weeks.

The first stage will be launched on 27 April 2020 and the following activities will be allowed:

• Travel by light cars (restriction on intercity transportation remains in place).

• Taxi services.

• Online trade and delivery service of any product.

• Outdoor agrarian markets.

The second stage envisions allowing the following activities:

• Construction and activities related to construction supervision.

• Production of construction materials.

• Car washing and car services.

• Repairing of computers as well as personal and equipment and household appliances.

• Recreational zones.

The third stage envisions allowing the following activities:

• Retail and wholesale shops (except for shopping malls) which have a separate entrance from the street.

• All types of outdoor market places.

• All types of enterprises.

• Publishing.

At the fourth stage, the following fields will resume operation:

• Shopping malls.

• Outdoor restaurants/dining facilities (at the venue).

• All types of financial services.

• Beauty salons and aesthetic medicine centres.

The following fields will be opened at the fifth stage:

• Indoor markets and market places.

• All types of restaurants/dining facilities (at the venue).

The final sixth stage envisions resumption of:

• Entertainment, sport, recreational, artistic activities.

• Gambling.

• Hotels.

• Educational establishments.

• All other activities (on-site mode).

Currently, it is unknown when public transport will resume operation.

Of note is that the academic year will not be announced in Georgia but instruction in schools will not be resumed until September.

As of 21 April 2020, there are 431 confirmed new COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 132 have recovered and five have died.

21 April 2021 – State of emergency to be extended until 22 May 2020.

On 21 April 2020, the Government of Georgia addressed the President with the request to extend the state of emergency until 22 May 2020. The President has already issued a decree to extend the duration of the state of emergency. The Parliament of Georgia will discuss extending the state of emergency in the country tomorrow on 22 April 2020.

In addition, travel by light cars was extended to 27 April 2020 across the country.

According to the information of the Government of Georgia, certain restrictions will be lifted from 27 April 2020, including the restriction on movement.

As of 21 April 2020, there are 408 confirmed new COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 97 have recovered and hour have died.

16 April 2020 – The government imposes stricter measures.

As of 16 April 2020, 42 new COVID-19 cases were reported. In total, there are 348 confirmed new COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 76 have recovered and three have died.

According to the decision of the Government of Georgia, a nationwide ban on driving light cars will be imposed from 12:00 of 17 April 2020 until 22 April 2020 in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

From 17 April 2020, wearing face masks indoors becomes mandatory.

From 17 April 2020, restrictions are imposed in regard to entry to cemeteries.

STOP COVID Application is launched.

On the initiative of the Ministry of Healthcare, the innovative mobile application STOP COVID was launched for the early detection and prevention of COVID-19. This application allows users to learn whether or not they were in contact with an infected individual.

Many countries, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore and others, have already tried models similar to this application.

Android users can download the application here.

IOS users can download the application here.

Government and Church reach an agreement – Easter service will be held.

The Government of Georgia and the Patriarchate agreed that despite the state of emergency and the curfew, parishioners will be allowed to attend the Easter liturgy. In addition, all church services (prayers, communion) will be held.

On 15 April 2020, the spokesperson of the Patriarchate, Andria Jaghmaidze, stated that parishioners will come to church before curfew and remain there until 06:00 AM. Two metres of distance will be observed in large churches and parishioners will be distributed in the yards of smaller churches. The spokesperson of the Prime Minister, Irakli Chikovani, made a similar statement. Both parties said that was a compromise agreement.

The Government of Georgia calls for people to stay home.

On 15 April 2020, Deputy Director of the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health, Paata Imnadze, called for people to stay home and not to go to church.

On 16 April 2020, Director of the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health, Amiran Gamkrelidze, addressed the people: “Do not go to churches. Do not go to churches. Let’s pray from home. God will forgive us, because many more Georgians will be saved.”

Asymptomatic spread of COVID-19.

As a result of rapid tests, COVID-19 antibodies were found in the blood samples of four people from the Kobuleti cluster. Currently, they do not have the virus in an active phase. Therefore, it is possible they recovered from the virus without exhibiting any symptoms.

The rapid test detects SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the blood. The immunoglobulin M shows the active phase of the disease whilst the immunoglobulin G shows a past infection. In her interview with FactCheck, Deputy Minister of Healthcare of the Ajara Autonomous Republic, Nino Nizharadze, clarifies that rapid tests showed that three patients had the immunoglobulin G and in one case both the immunoglobulin M and the immunoglobulin G. They did not test positive for the novel coronavirus as a result of laboratory testing.

Of note is that a person can be infected and recover from the disease with mild symptoms only or without symptoms. However, the virus is spread by asymptomatic infected people as well.

14 April 2020 – Epidemiological situation deteriorates in Georgia.

As of 14 April 2020, 30 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours in Georgia. This is the record high figure thus far. In total, there are 296 confirmed new COVID-19 cases in Georgia. Of that amount, 69 have recovered and three have died. In addition, three Georgian nationals were transferred for treatment to Georgia from abroad.

The Director of the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health, Amiran Gamkrelidze, went live on Facebook to speak about the epidemiological situation. Mr Gamkrelidze stated: “We have already recorded the first so-called jump by having 30 cases which is alarming. There are confirmed cases in all social strata of the population… The next two-three weeks will be very hard. If we relax social distancing today and fail to observe regulations as mandated by the state of emergency, I’d like you know that by the end of April and in the first week of May we are going to have several thousand confirmed cases in the country.”

According to the decision of the Government of Georgia, entry and exit to and from four large Georgian cities – Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi and Batumi – is prohibited from 21:00 PM as of 15 April 2020. In addition, the government addressed the President that she requests the Parliament of Georgia extend the state of emergency until 10 May 2020.

International aid – According to the preliminary agreement, Georgia will receive USD 447 million from the International Monetary Fund by the end of 2020. In addition, Georgia expects nearly USD 1.5 billion in financial aid from international donors by the end of 2020.

The government will not impose restrictions on the Georgian Orthodox Church.

A priest of the Georgian Orthodox Church tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The John the Apostle Russian church, whose priest tested positive, was closed for 20 days and church clergy were quarantined.

Despite the state of emergency and the heightened risks of the spread of virus, churches continue services in a normal mode.

As stated by the Prime Minister, Giorgi Gakharia, churches will not be closed, particularly during Easter night. In addition, the Prime Minister called for parishioners to stay home.

As stated by the Director of the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health, Amiran Gamkrelidze, talks are in progress with the Patriarchate. Mr Gamkrelidze called for people to refrain from gathering during the Easter holidays which includes church gatherings and generally be less active during church services for the next two weeks.

State of emergency and crowded churches.

As of 13 April 2020, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to 266. Of that amount, 67 have recovered and three have died. In addition, three Georgian nationals were transferred for treatment to Georgia from abroad.

The epidemiological situation is getting worse and specialists expect the peak of the spread by the end of April. There is a nationwide state of emergency and measures get stricter every day. Although gathering more than three people is prohibited across the country, churches remain crowded. On 12 April 2020, Orthodox churches held traditional services and prayers for Palm Sunday and there were plenty of people in the churches. Of note is that the President’s decree on the state of emergency does not limit the freedom of faith and confession. In order to restrict crowded events in churches, a separate normative act needs to be adopted which the authorities have not done thus far.

On 12 April 2020, a full lockdown was imposed in the following territorial units of the Kobuleti municipality: Gvara, Mukhaestate, Leghva and Tskavroka. It is prohibited to enter or leave the aforementioned administrative units. According to the information of the Ministry of Healthcare of Ajara, 20 people tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the Kobuleti municipality as of 12 April 2020.

On 10 April 2020, a full lockdown was imposed in the Lentekhi district. The authorities made this decision after four persons living in Lentekhi tested positive for the coronavirus.

9 April 2020 – International financial aid to Georgia.

On 9 April 2020, international financial organisations, the EU representation to Georgia as well as the French and German ambassadors addressed the Government of Georgia with an open letter. The letter reads: “To overcome this pandemic, we need a coordinated health, social and economic policy response. We are working together to ensure rapid support to Georgia and are currently discussing a substantial financial relief package to help the authorities respond effectively to this unprecedented crisis.”

Furthermore, the EU will allocate over EUR 183 million to Georgia within the scope of its global epidemic response.

The family of Bidzina Ivanishvili, Chairperson of the Georgian Dream party, transferred GEL 100 million to the StopCoV fund. As a result, the total amount of money in the fund constitutes GEL 124,543,899.

According to official reports, the money in the StopCoV fund will be channelled under the coordination of the Business Ombudsman’s Office and the private sector in order to meet the needs identified.

Aggressive testing among high-risk groups.

The high-risk groups which will undergo testing for COVID-19 have been identified. These groups are as follows: people in penitentiary facilities, special elderly care facilities, stationary psychiatric clinics, defence forces and clergymen, including people in the monasteries.

Of note is that the testing of health workers has already been launched. According to the algorithm, all health workers in clinics with a high patient load will undergo rapid COVID-19 testing.

In addition, rapid tests are taken for:

• Individuals in self-isolation or quarantined in spaces allocated by the state who had contact with an infected person and started to exhibit clinical symptoms characteristic to COVID-19.

• Symptomatic patients from high-risk zones.

• Individuals from clusters of patients with specific symptoms.

• Patients in hospitals and ambulatories who exhibit respiratory symptoms characteristic to a COVID-19 infection.

Home treatment protocol.

According to the information of the Ministry of Healthcare, the home treatment protocol is ready. If there is a significant surge in the flow of patients, some of the infected with mild forms of the disease will be treated at home or in quarantine zones.

Agrarian market places were closed.

In order to curb the spread of the coronavirus, agrarian market places are gradually being closed in Georgia. On 7 April 2020, agrarian markets were temporarily closed in Tbilisi. Prior to that, most of the agrarian markets were closed outside Tbilisi. According to the information of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, agrarian market places will resume operation if they follow special standards elaborated by the National Food Agency.

As of 9 April 2020, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to 218. Of those, 51 patients have recovered and three people have died. All three patients were elderly with underlying severe medical conditions.

4 April 2020 – The first COVID-19 death in Georgia

The first coronavirus death in Georgia was confirmed in the morning of 4 April. The victim was a 79-year-old woman who was admitted to the First University Clinic with a COVID-19 diagnosis. The patient had severe underlying health conditions (including severe cardiovascular diseases). The woman belonged to the village of Kapanakhchi cluster of lower Bolnisi where five people tested positive for the coronavirus.

In accordance with the decree of the Minister of Health of Georgia issued on 25 March, the corpse of an individual who succumbed to the coronavirus should be placed in a special body bag and both the corpse and the body bag’s cover should be disinfected. The body bag with the corpse should be placed inside a coffin and should not be opened at any stage. As stated by the Director of the National Centre of Disease Control and Public Health, Amiran Gamkrelidze, the deceased person should be buried within 72 hours and traditional practises of offering condolences and holding memorial services and after funeral receptions should not take place.

As of 4 April 2020, there are 157 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Georgia. Of this amount, 28 patients have recovered and one has died.

1 April 2020 – GEL 2 billion to stimulate the economy and new testing algorithm

• According to the decision of the Government of Georgia, GEL 2 billion was allocated from the budget for the direct assistance of the economy and citizens. In addition, GEL 351 million was also allocated from the budget to fight COVID-19.

• For three months, the Government of Georgia will fully pay the utility bills of families which consume less than 200 kwt/h energy and less than 200 cubic metres of natural gas per month.

• A new algorithm for COVID-19 testing was approved. Apart from patients with symptoms, patients with fever and high-risk groups (people who had contact with an infected person, healthcare workers, people employed in institutional establishments) would also be subject to testing for the novel coronavirus.

According to the new algorithm, rapid antibody and antigen tests will soon be used to detect COVID-19 in addition to laboratory diagnosis based on the PCR method.

As of 1 April 2020, there were 117 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 23 patients have recovered.

31 March 2020 – Effectively a nationwide lockdown

From 08:00 in the morning until 21 April, a nationwide lockdown was declared in Georgia.

• A so-called curfew is in effect from 21:00 until 06:00 every day. In this period of time, the movement of pedestrians and transport is prohibited throughout the country.

• All types of public transport (including subway) are fully suspended. Private vehicles (including taxis) are allowed to travel with a maximum of three people.

• Gatherings of more than three people are prohibited. The exceptions are grocery stores and pharmacies where two metres of social distance has to be observed.

• People over 70 years of age are allowed to leave their houses only if they go to the nearest grocery store, nearest pharmacy or nearest medical facility.

• Control check-points were set up in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Poti, Zugdidi and Gori.

• All citizens are required to carry their IDs with them.

As of 31 March, there were 110 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Georgia. Of this amount 21 patients have recovered.

According to the decision of the Ministry of Justice on 30 March, 780 employees of penitentiary facilities will live in prisons for the next several weeks in order to avoid any import of the virus.

28 March 2020 – Internal transmission

According to the information of the Director of the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health, Amiran Gamkrelidze, the source of infection of three patients who tested positive for COVID-19 is unknown. This means that the international transmission process had started in the country. Mr Gamkrelidze said that for the next four weeks the country faces the danger of a large-scale outbreak of the epidemic.

Since 29 March 2020, stringent measures have been taken in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region to prevent the spread of the coronavirus:

• Public transport was suspended in the region.

• Check-points were set up at the entrances and exits of the municipalities.

• Maximum allowed passengers in private vehicles are three and all passengers are required to wear face masks.

As of 28 March, there was one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Zugdidi. The introduction of stringent measures is linked to the region’s close geographic proximity to the occupation line. The United States will provide USD 1.1 million to aid Georgia’s healthcare sector.

As of 28 March, there were 90 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Georgia with 16 recovered patients.

27 March 2020 – Contract for the purchase of rapid tests for the COVID-19 was cancelled

A contract with a Chinese company to purchase 215,000 rapid test kits for the coronavirus was cancelled because of the questionable quality of the tests.

Georgia uses the PCR method for the diagnosis of the coronavirus in special laboratories. Currently, Georgia does not have rapid tests which is critical for mass testing. According to the information of the Ministry of Health, negotiations are in progress with another company for the purchase of the rapid tests.

As of 27 March the number of confirmed cases in Georgia increased to 83 with 14 recovered patients.

22-23 March 2020 – Marneuli and Bolnisi were put on lockdown

According to the decision of the authorities, all types of intercity transport were suspended in Georgia. The Marneuli and Bolnisi municipalities were declared a stringent lockdown zone. The list of prohibitions is as follows:

• Entrance and exit vis-à-vis Bolnisi and Marneuli were prohibited.

• Public transport was suspended.

• Movement of citizens within the territory was banned (locals are allowed to go out only to purchase food and medicine or to receive a medical service).

• All facilities are closed except pharmacies and grocery stores.

On 22 March, a case of a coronavirus internal transmission was confirmed in Marneuli. A woman from Marneuli tested positive for the coronavirus. Epidemiologists have not identified the source of her infection thus far. This led to the decision to take radical measures.

In spite of the state of emergency in the country, Sunday services were held in churches and parishioners received communion from a shared spoon.

As of 23 March there were seven new confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Georgia. In total there were 61 confirmed cases with eight recovered patients.

21 March 2020 – State of emergency was declared in Georgia

To prevent the mass spread of the novel coronavirus a nationwide state of emergency was declared. The state of emergency will be effective until 21 April. Currently, under the state of emergency:

• All types of assemblies, demonstrations and public gatherings are prohibited (as clarified by the Prime Minister, a gathering of more than ten people is prohibited).

• International air, land and sea transport services for transportation of passengers were suspended with the exception of cargo transport.

• Relevant bodies are authorised to forcibly transfer a person to a respective place for violations of the isolation or quarantine rules and respective penalties will be applied to the perpetrators.

• Court hearings can be held remotely.

• A person will be fined GEL 3,000 for failure to comply with the state of emergency whilst the fine will be GEL 15,000 for legal entities. A person will be held criminally liable for a repeated offence; in particular, imprisonment for up to three years.

In addition, the Government of Georgia is authorised to restrict other constitutional rights, including:

• To restrict property rights for quarantine, insulation and medical purposes in line with its terms and to use the property and material means of both individuals and legal entities.

• To ban or restrict certain activities of private legal entities as prescribed by the ordinance or order them to carry out a specific activity.

At the present moment, the state of emergency does not envision:

• Declaration of a curfew.

• Restrictions on the media.

• Suspending infrastructural projects.

As clarified by the Prime Minister, restrictions on gatherings of more than ten people will be applied to the church as well.

However, as stated by Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Archil Talakvadze, the President’s decree allows the restriction of the freedom of assembly but there are no restrictions to the right of religion and belief.

The Public Defender of Georgia, Nino Lomjaria, said that restriction on freedom of assembly under the state of emergency applies to any type of assembly, including the church. As clarified by Ms Lomjaria, the decree itself does not provide exceptions and indicates that any exceptions would be at the discretion of the Government of Georgia.

As of 21 March, there were 49 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Georgia.

21 March 2020 – Holy Synod’s decision

In spite of the increased danger of an outbreak of the coronavirus, the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church ruled against suspending church services and declared that no changes will be made to the rule of communion from a shared spoon.

19 March 2020 – Shops were closed

The Coordination Council made a decision to close all shops in Georgia except grocery stores, pharmacies, petrol stations, the postal network and banks.

As of 19 March, there were 40 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Georgia.

18 March 2020 – Georgia’s borders were closed

Georgia’s borders were temporarily closed for foreign nationals from 18 March.

On 18 March, mini-buses were suspended.

As of 18 March, there were 38 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Georgia.

16 March 2020 – New restrictions and recommendations

Georgia’s mountain and ski resorts were temporarily closed.

Cafes, bars and restaurants were given a recommendation to limit the service and keep the delivery option only.

The authorities called on citizens over 70 years of age to remain self-isolated.

Travel between Georgia and Russia was suspended.

As of 16 March, there were 33 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Georgia.

15 March 2020 – The first recovered patient

Movement of pedestrians across the Sarpi border check-point was suspended on both sides

The first coronavirus patient recovered.

14 March 2020 – The so-called tertiary transmission was confirmed

Movement of citizens across Georgia-Armenia and Georgia-Azerbaijan borders was temporarily suspended.

The so-called tertiary transmission (contact after the contact) of the novel coronavirus was confirmed in Georgia.

As of 14 March, there were 30 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Of this amount, two cases were related to travel to Iran, one case to travel to Spain and rest of the cases were directly or indirectly related to Italy.

12 March 2020 – Authorities introduce stricter measures

After the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, from 12 March all bodies of the Government of Georgia started to work 24/7 in an emergency mode.

All public and private entities were given the recommendation to start telework.

Since 12 March, passengers coming from Germany, France, Spain and Austria have been subjected to mandatory quarantine or self-isolation after a check-up at the border.

Since 12 March, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been providing monitoring on observing the self-isolation rules. Those citizens who violate self-isolation rules are forcibly transferred to the quarantine zones.

The summer draft for military conscripts was postponed until 13 April.

As of 12 March, there were 25 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Georgia.

6 March 2020 – Mandatory quarantine

Direct flights between Italy and Georgia were suspended.

From 6 March, a 14-day mandatory quarantine or self-isolation was announced for passengers travelling from high-risk zones.

As of 6 March, there were nine confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Georgia. Of them, seven cases were related to travel to Italy.

1 March 2020 – Mass events were cancelled

The Coordination Council led by the Prime Minister of Georgia issued a recommendation to cancel mass events in places of public gathering.

According to the decision on 1 March, the educational process in schools, kindergartens and universities was suspended.

At that time, there were three confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Georgia

26 February 2020 – The first confirmed case of COVID-19

The first case of the coronavirus was confirmed in Georgia. A Georgian national, coming from Iran through Azerbaijan, tested positive for COVID-19. From that day, all types of travel between Georgia and Iran were suspended.

Measures taken prior to the first confirmed case:

23 February – Georgia suspended flights to Iran.

4 February – Lugar Laboratory started tests for diagnostics of COVID-19.

29 January – Flights to China was suspended.

28 January – The Government of Georgia approved an action plan for the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus.

Photo: stopcov.ge