Minister: PCR Test Instead of Quarantine will Enter into Force Tomorrow

As stated by the Minister of Economy Natia Turanva, Georgian citizens coming from abroad will no longer have to undergo mandatory quarantine upon returning to their homeland if they undergo a PCR test. 

She noted that Georgian citizens will be able to enter the country on the basis of a negative test result taken in a PCR laboratory and move to self-isolation, adding that the government has already prepared the relevant decision and "it is very likely that it will come into force tomorrow."

"It is the second wave and the number of infected people is increasing daily. Therefore, all risks must be balanced. On the other hand, it is our choice to adapt, to fight the pandemic so as not to restrict business. It is very important for our citizens and visitors," Turanva said. 

The Minister added that people who fail to have a PCR test will have to undergo mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Georgia.

The decision was announced by Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia on October 15, although he has been talking about enforcing the rule from November.

"All our citizens who are returning to their homeland and have undergone PCR testing will have the opportunity to self-isolate for 12 days as an alternative to quarantine. This is a requirement that needs to be met; however, those citizens who have not undergone PCR testing will still be able to make use of quarantine spaces. With this, we are trying to introduce more dynamism to our economy," Giorgi Gakharia stated.

Earlier, the Prime Minister announced that new flights will be added to the existing routes from the end of October, in particular, to Munich and Paris. He noted that this "will provide more oxygen to the economy."

By Ana Dumbadze 

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