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Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia
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7 MINUTE READ
March 20, 2020

Location: Georgia

Event:  On March 19, the U.S. Department of State advised U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.  The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.

U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.  We urge U.S. citizens who are considering returning to the United States to work with airlines to make travel arrangements immediately while flights are still available. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions and flight cancellations to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.

The Government of Georgia announced on March 20 that all commercial flights will be suspended as of March 21, except for those coordinated with the government on Georgian Airways.

The Government of Georgia advises individuals to take steps to prepare to shelter-in-place for up to 7-14 days.  This includes having enough food and, if required, prescription medication for yourself and your pets, fuel in your car, activities and entertainment for children, as well as ensuring you have multiple ways to stay in touch with other people. The Government of Georgia expects to have enough stocks of foodstuffs and consumer supplies but being prepared to stay in your home for at least one to two weeks will reduce your need to go out in public.

EMBASSY STATUS: Effective March 18, 2020, U.S. Embassy Tbilisi has suspended routine consular services. We will continue to provide citizenship and other services for U.S. citizens, including passports, on an emergency basis. Please visit our website for additional information.

On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of US personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19. In response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak the Peace Corps has evacuated all their volunteers from Georgia.

GOVERNMENT OF GEORGIA ACTIONS: The government of Georgia has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.  The government has asked all commercial enterprises except for pharmacies, groceries, gas stations, banks and postal services to close as of March 20. Schools and universities are closed until at least April 1.  Mini buses (marshrutkas) have ceased operating. Municipal buses, trains, and the Tbilisi Metro continue to function at this time, but this may change at short notice. All citizens and residents are asked to stay at home and not leave their social space without extreme necessity. Visit the Georgian government COVID-19 website StopCoV.ge for updated information.

ENTRY TO GEORGIA: Georgia has barred all foreign travelers from entering the country until at least April 1. Georgian citizens, their non-Georgian dependents, and diplomats will still be allowed to enter. All arriving passengers must self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of origin or transit areas. Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia’s website for additional information on these new measures.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Global COVID-19 Outbreak Notice and a Level 3 COVID-19 Outbreak Notice for Europe.

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