Georgia: Authorities to tighten domestic COVID-19 restrictions through Sept. 4 /update 38

Officials in Georgia to tighten domestic COVID-19 restrictions until at least Sept. 4 due to rising cases; transport disruptions likely.

Event

Authorities in Georgia plan to tighten domestic COVID-19 measures from Aug. 14-Sept. 4 amid rising case numbers. Municipal public transport will be suspended in urban centers; intercity services will be unaffected. Cultural events will be prohibited, with the exception of some international sporting events. Restaurants will have to close to in-house customers 23:00-05:00, rather than the current 00:00-05:00. Public sector organizations will transfer to remote working for staff wherever possible.

Most businesses and services may continue to operate subject to strict hygiene and social distancing requirements. Facemasks remain mandatory in enclosed public spaces and on public transport nationwide.

International Entry Restrictions
Vaccinated passengers arriving by air need only produce proof of having received a full course of any COVID-19 vaccination in order to enter the country. Individuals entering Georgia by land or sea, however, must submit a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival in addition to documentation confirming their vaccination status.

Unvaccinated citizens and legal residents of specifically listed countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Canada, China, EU member states, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK, and the US, among others, may also enter Georgia by air, land, or sea provided they comply with the following requirements:

They must travel directly from one of the listed countries, including all transit travel.
At entry, they must submit a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival.
They must undergo an additional PCR test at their own expense on the third day of their stay in Georgia.
Prior to crossing the border, they must complete the government's special application, detailing their travel history for the previous two weeks, as well as all contact information.

For a full list of the countries from which unvaccinated travelers may enter Georgia, click here.

Unvaccinated returning Georgian residents must self-isolate for eight days on arrival; travelers able to produce a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival may end isolation early by taking a second PCR test three days after arriving.

All arrivals having a travel history in India within the previous 14 days must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours and be placed in a quarantine facility for 14 days regardless of their vaccination status.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.