Up to 200 Georgian Citizens Returned from Italy

156 Georgian citizens returned to their home country from Rome, Italy, this evening, on two flights carried out by airline 'Georgian Airways.' 

Before the flight, they were examined and no symptoms of coronavirus were observed.

However, they will still undergo an intense check-up in Georgia again, after which they will be quarantined for 14 days in order to prevent the risk of the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

“During the flight, we fully followed the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control to safely transfer them to the country. The flight is accompanied by fully equipped medical staff. The passengers were placed in two planes, in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization. Their condition is satisfactory. There are no symptoms of coronavirus among them, however, upon arrival, an intense thermal screening, as well as an epidemiological assessment, is still mandatory for them, after which they will be taken into quarantine," Deputy Health Minister Tamar Gabunia said before the landing of the planes.

The citizens do not have to pay travel fees, as the Government of Georgia is financially supporting their transfer to the country.

The local government decided to suspend direct flights with Italy on March 6, as it is one of the countries with the highest number of coronavirus cases in Europe.

Minister of Economy Natia Turnava announced on March 6 that the state would arrange the return of Georgian citizens from Italy and cover their travel expenses. 

By Ana Dumbadze 

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