Finance Minister: Georgia May Suspend Flights with Italy

Georgia's Finance Minister Ivane Machavariani says the issue of suspension of flights with Italy is being discussed due to the coronavirus outbreak, though "a decision has yet to be made".

He pointed out that if the country seeks to maximally prevent the spread of coronavirus, then flights should be ceased.

"Suspension of flights with Italy due to the risk of coronavirus is being discussed at our daily meetings along with other issues, however, no decision has been made as yet.

"Italy, as a flight destination from Georgia, carries relatively high risks at this stage, although we should be aware that this is a step towards reducing risk. In reality, risks still remain, and infected citizens can enter the country from other directions.

"If the country strives to maximally prevent the spread of coronavirus, then flights should be completely banned. It will be a very expensive price to pay. We are also looking at what our European partners and friends are doing, how they are protecting themselves, how strong they are at border controls, and we prefer to choose this way and carry out individual inspections, monitor existing risks, check if passengers have symptoms directly in the airports rather than cancel flights," the Finance Minister concluded. 

The fourth case of coronavirus has been reported in Georgia, Amiran Gamkrelidze, head of the National Center for Disease Control, said at a press conference today, a Georgian citizen who traveled to Italy and reentered Georgia on Sunday. 

The first case of the new coronavirus in Georgia was reported on February 26, 2020. The infected patient was a local citizen who had traveled to Iran and reentered the country from Azerbaijan.

The second case of coronavirus was confirmed in the country on February 28. The patient was a Georgian citizen who had traveled to Italy.

The third case of coronavirus was reported on February 29. The infected person was a Georgian citizen who had traveled to Iran.

All three patients have been transferred to an isolated unit at Tbilisi Infections Hospital and their health condition is reported to be stable and satisfactory. 

The fourth infected citizen is said to be in relatively worse health than the others. 

By Ana Dumbadze 

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