UK Government Issues Travel Advice on Georgia

Amid the ongoing global outbreak of the coronavirus and the hard-hit European countries such as Italy, Spain, and Britain, the UK government has issued travel advice for its citizens on Georgia.

It can be read on the UK government website that Georgia is in the process of battling the coronavirus and the page offers updates on Georgia’s ongoing response to the pandemic, as well as the number of infected citizens in the country.

Apart from COVID-19 information, the issued warnings include traveling to the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

“The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, […] The British government does not recognize the unilateral declarations of independence made by the de facto authorities in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Consular support is not available in parts of Georgia where the FCO advise against all travel.” 

On the coronavirus problem, the FCO issued the following passage on restrictions: “With effect from midnight 18 March, for at least a two-week period, foreign citizens will not be allowed to enter the country. The ban will also apply to foreigners with Georgian residence permits. Those already in Georgia will be permitted to leave. Scheduled flight options are now severely limited and reducing daily. British nationals in Georgia who wish to leave should do so without delay. You should keep in close contact with your travel provider. Cafes and restaurants will close from 19 March, although take-out service will continue. Additional restrictions may be imposed if there is further transmission of the virus.”

By B.Alexishvili