COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Georgia (20 November Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Citizens may enter, however, foreigners with Georgian residence permits may be denied entry.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No with exceptions

• Foreign citizens are not currently allowed to enter Georgia, apart from citizens or permanent residents of five EU Member States (France, Germany, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) who arrive by direct flight. UK citizens who wish to enter Georgia will need to provide evidence of their permanent residence status at the airport.

• There are two work-related schemes for foreign citizens from other countries to enter Georgia:

• Business trips by citizens of any country will be allowed if a permit is obtained.

• “Work from Georgia” scheme is available to citizens from 95 countries, including the UK, who want to work from Georgia remotely.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes

• Travellers arriving without a negative test result will be tested on arrival.

• Those on business trips will have the option to have a PCR test performed every 72 hours instead of quarantine. Tests and quarantine will be at the traveller’s expense.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes with exceptions

• All foreign arrivals must enter a mandatory 8-day quarantine and receive a PCR test on the 9th and 12th day. If the test result is negative on the 9th day, you can leave quarantine. If any test comes back positive, quarantine will be continued in a designated facility.

• If citizens of Georgia present negative PCR test results upon arrival, they will be allowed to self-isolate at home rather than a quarantined in a hotel.

Entry form required?

• Yes with exceptions

• All travellers, except nationals of Georgia, must complete an application form at least 48 hours before arrival. The form is available at this link.

• Business travellers intending to enter the country must submit an application available at this link.

• Registration form for the travellers involved in the project “Work From Georgia” must fill the details available at this link.

• Foreign students must also fill a form before entering Georgia. The form can be seen at link.

Insurance required?

• Yes

• Travellers may need valid travel insurance upon arrival.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• Most commercial international flight operations remain limited. Humanitarian, medevac, and repatriation flights are operating. Flights to Georgia are suspended until 30 November except for flights from Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, and Lithuania.

• Due to the widespread increase of COVID-19 cases in Europe, authorities have announced the cancellation of scheduled flights that were planned to re-start in November.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• All borders (land, air, and sea) are closed to most foreign nationals.

• Domestic tourism is allowed.

• Foreigners who were legally in Georgia up to 14 March but were unable to leave the country due to unforeseen circumstances, such as flight cancellations or border closures, are allowed to stay in Georgia until 31 December.

• The government has not announced a date for re-opening Georgia’s land and air borders but has said the international tourism sector will not reopen in 2020.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• There is a movement restriction between 22:00 to 05:00 (local time) in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Zugdidi, Gori, and Poti. Violation may lead to fines.

• Due to the election, authorities have decided to lift these restrictions from 22:00 of 20 November to 22:00 of 22 November.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• Gatherings for weddings or funerals are allowed to have a maximum of ten people, indoors or outdoors. Political or election-related gatherings are allowed without any limitation.

• People going out of their homes are required always to carry an official ID or passport.

• It is recommended that people age 70 years and older stay at home as much as possible.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• All public transportation, including the metro, has resumed services.

• Intercity trains are operating.

• In Adjara regions, public transport will remain temporarily suspended.

• Taxis may operate with limited numbers of passengers.

• Vehicle movement is restricted between 22:00 to 05:00 (local time) in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Zugdidi, Gori, and Poti. Violation may lead fine.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Shops, shopping malls, open-air and indoor markets are open. Online shopping, outdoor agricultural markets, and delivery services are accessible.

Accommodations open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Some hotels and rental accommodations are open.

• Hotels are subject to inspection by the Ministry of Health.

Restaurants open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Restaurants are open with indoor and outdoor services maintaining social distancing measures and safety protocols.

• Restaurants must close by 22:00 (local time).

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Cafes are allowed to open with safety protocols but must close by 22:00 (local time).

Events allowed?

• Yes with exceptions

• No more than 10 people can participate in social events such as weddings, wakes, birthdays, baptisms.

• Most outdoor activities are allowed. Sports and cultural events are limited to 200 people.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face masks are now mandatory in public places outdoors and indoors. Violation may lead to a fine.

Other

• Most schools have reopened, except in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Telavi, Zugdidi, Zestaponi, Gori, Poti, Marneuli, and Gardabani. Distance learning will continue until 25 November.

• Construction work, automobile service centres, and production of construction materials are allowed to operate.

• Most gyms and swimming pools have reopened.

Advice

The COVID-19 epidemic is changing constantly worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.