Location: Georgia
Event: In response to the continued threat of COVID, the Government of Georgia has instituted new measures to try to control the spread of the disease. The measures are described below.
For the period from November 28 through January 31, the following restrictions are in effect countrywide except as noted below:
- Movement restriction between the hours of 9pm and 5am.
- During the restricted time, public and private transportation, including walking, as well as using public space, are not permitted.
- Exceptions to this restriction will be made for New Year’s Eve (December 31) and Orthodox Christmas (January 6).
- Restaurants and eateries may provide delivery, take-away, and drive-thru service only.
- Inter-city regular transportation of passengers, including by railway, bus, and mini-bus is not permitted. Travel in light vehicles (including taxis) is permissible.
- Gyms and swimming pools are closed.
- Conferences, training courses, arts/culture and sports events are either suspended or online.
- Face masks are required outdoors, in addition to in all enclosed public spaces.
- Public sector services will transition to a remote mode of operation as much as possible.
- It is recommended people over the age of 70 remain at home.
The following additional restrictions apply to large cities (Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Poti, Zugdidi, and Telavi) and to the winter resorts of Bakuriani, Gudauri, Goderdzi, and Mestia:
- Open and enclosed markets operate in remote mode (but fruit and vegetable markets continue to operate).
- Shops/trade centers operate in remote mode (with the exception of groceries, animal food stores, pharmacies, veterinary pharmacies, household chemical and hygiene stores, and print media kiosks).
- Agrarian markets, beauty salons, barber shops, and aesthetic medicine centers continue to operate.
- Municipal transport is suspended.
- Private sector offices operate in remote mode, until 3pm if essential.
- Private and public kindergartens, art study clubs and studios are closed.
- Schools, vocational education institutions, and universities (except medical universities) transition to a fully remote mode of operation.
The following additional restrictions apply to the winter resorts of Bakuriani, Gudauri, Goderdzi, and Mestia:
- Cableways in ski resorts are closed.
- Hotels operate exclusively as quarantine or COVID hotels.
For the period from December 24 through January 2, the restrictions will be temporarily loosened countrywide as follows:
- Shopping malls, as well as open and closed markets, will resume operation.
- Municipal and inter-city transport will resume operation.
For the period from January 3 through January 15 countrywide:
- All restrictions applicable to the period from November 28 through December 24 will be restored.
- A public holiday is declared. Generally nonessential businesses will not operate, though banks and other “strategic sites and services” may operate, and the public sector will operate at limited capacity as is usual during the holiday period.
For the period from January 16 through January 31, the following restrictions are in effect countrywide:
- Municipal and inter-city transport, as well as shops and open and enclosed markets, will resume operation (except during the weekends).
For the entire period from November 28 through January 31, the above restrictions will not apply to all types of economic activities, including:
- Public and private construction and repair works;
- Banking and financial activities;
- Groceries, animal food stores, pharmacies, veterinary pharmacies, household chemical and hygiene stores, and print media kiosks;
- Delivery and take-away services;
- Beauty salons, barber shops, and aesthetic medicine centers;
- Vehicle repair and technical inspection services;
- Household appliance repair services;
- Fruit and vegetable markets; and
- others.
In addition, travel in light vehicles (including taxis) is not restricted outside of movement restriction hours.
Actions to take:
- Monitor local media for updates
- Keep a low profile
- Review your personal security plans
- Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia
(995)(32) 227-7724 (M-F 8:30-5:30)
(995)(32) 227-7000 (after hours)
AskConsulTbilisi@state.gov
https://ge.usembassy.gov/
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.