Georgia: Travel restrictions implemented due to COVID-19 as of March 3 /update 2

Event

As of Tuesday, March 3, Georgia has implemented travel restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). All foreigners who have transited via China or Iran in the last 14 days will be denied entry. Travelers who have been in South Korea, Italy, and Japan in the past 21 days must undergo medical tests and may be subject to quarantine measures for up to 14 days.

The suspension of direct air traffic with Iran and China remains in place as of March 3. According to the Georgian Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA), the restriction will be in effect until at least Sunday March 29. Georgian authorities have also implemented increased measures at all points of entry to detect symptoms of the virus in travelers arriving into the country.

To date, three cases have been confirmed in Georgia.

Further international spread of COVID-19 is to be expected over the coming days and weeks.  

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On February 28, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the risk of spread and the risk of impact of the virus is "very high" at the global level.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Potentially affected travelers are advised to monitor the situation, confirm travel itineraries, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home government.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue; throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider.

In the case that symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness emerge either during or after travel, individuals are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their health care provider. Travelers returning from China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran who develop symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.