Georgia: Updated. Regime of cargo transportation in terms of pandemics (COVID-19) as of 15 April 2020

 Rail Transport

- On 21 March 2020 the state of emergency was declared on the territory of Georgia. The restrictive measures however do not affect the rail freight transportation. Therefore, as of today, there are no restrictions on rail freight transportation.
- International passenger transportation via railway has been suspended with the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan since 18 March, 2020.
- In accordance to the Decree №186 of the Government of Georgia of 23 March, 2020 all domestic railway passenger transportation is suspended. However, for the purposes of ensuring smooth functioning of international freight transportation by railroad, exception is made for railway workers who are allowed to move to and from their place of business be the specially designated trains 
   
- From 15 April 2020 the entry into and exit from the territories of municipalities of the cities of Batumi, Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Rustavi is prohibited. However, this prohibition do not apply to:
• International and local carriage of goods;
• Postal delivery;
• Movements of accredited diplomats related to their professional activities;
• Maintenance of railways;
• Movements of personal of international organizations with humanitarian missions

 Road Transport

- The Government of Georgia has decided to introduce restrictions on entry of foreign citizens into Georgia as part of preventive measures against the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Georgia.  The restrictions come into effect on 18 March, 2020 at 00:00 - The restrictions apply to any foreign nationals except:
• Representatives of diplomatic missions accredited to Georgia, representatives of international organizations and their family members;
• Mixed families where one of the spouses or their underage child is a citizen of Georgia 
• Humanitarian mission – if such mission becomes necessary (doctors, volunteers)
• Stateless persons – document issued by respective authorities of Georgia • Individuals holding status-neutral travel document;
• Individuals having a refugee status in Georgia
• The issue of official delegations is decided on a case-by-case basis 
• Track drives engaged into international carriage of goods; railroad personal engaged into international railroad traffic, connected to goods transfer/escorting by rail road and aircrafts crew members.

- Transportation of citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Armenia and Russian Federation and their family members from third country towards their home countries in transit through the territory of Georgia is conducted under supervision of the respective authorities. Citizens of the above-mentioned countries staying in Georgia can leave the country through the respective border-crossing points. 

- Since 24:00 of 22 March, 2020 the Government of Georgia has enacted new regulations aimed at introducing enhancing preventive measures with COVID-19. In particular, for border-crossing by passengers only the following border points are open from 10:00 till 18:00:
• For Turkey – Sarpi
• For Azerbaijan – Red Bridge
• For Russian Federation – Lars
• For Armenia – Sadakhlo

- For transport and transit of goods all border check-points are open for 24/7.
- Since 21 March, 2020 the state of emergency is declared on the territory of Georgia, however it does not affect the goods transportation and transit.
- The Government of Georgia also adopted regulations for freight vehicles that carry out international transportation:
• Drivers of freight vehicles, upon entering the country, are subject to mandatory screening in accordance with international health regulations; 
• If during a screening of the driver of a freight vehicle, a probable case of a virus disease is detected, he must be immediately isolated on the spot;
• Freight vehicle is eligible to enter Georgian territory if substituted with driver from lower risk group and the following health regulations applied:
1. Freight vehicle disinfection will be conducted under supervision of the authorized customs representative;
2. The driver of a freight vehicle, driving the vehicle on the customs border of Georgia, will return to his country (for citizens of foreign countries) or, taking into account the clinical condition, will be quarantined in the appropriate medical facility;
3. Haulage trucks of freight vehicles will be replaced by lower risk item. Initial haulage truck (used for transportation to territory of Georgia) will be sent to the country of origin. Trailers of each freight vehicle will be disinfected under the supervision of authorized customs representative;
4. Or the vehicle will be transferred to the nearest custom check point where its freight will be reloaded to another vehicle which is considered safe whereas the empty vehicle should leave the territory of Georgia. 

- Since 23 March, 2020 on the territory of Bolnisi and Marneuli (includes Sadakhlo border check-points) municipalities quarantine measures are being implemented. Entering and exit into and from these municipalities is restricted and is allowed based on case-by-base decision of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Vehicles engaged into international transit of goods are allowed to enter the municipalities by condition of non-stop movement through their territories.
- Since 24 March, 2020 according to the Decree №186 of the Government of Georgia of 23 March 2020 all domestic passenger transportation by minibuses and buses is suspended.
- Since 30 March, 2020 all public transport ceases functioning, including buses and metro. Special regular routs may be introduced for the purpose of function of enterprises and carriage of staff. No more than 3 persons are allowed in a M1 category vehicle including a driver (this restriction does not extend to special regular routs).
- Furthermore, from 30 March till the termination of the emergency situation all movement of either pedestrians or vehicles is prohibited from 21:00 till 06:00. However, this restriction does not extend to international carriage of goods.
- Since 31 March, 2020 for the purpose of prevention of COVID-19 check-points are installed on the administrative borders of the following cities: Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Poti, Gori, Telavi, Akhalkalaki, Zugdidi. 

 Freight vehicles registered in a foreign country shall move through the territory of Georgia with following conditions:
 
- After completing the procedures at the customs checkpoint, means of transport shall move non-stop to a final destination. Stopping allowed only on specially designated areas - STOP POINTs, places for purchasing compulsory civil liability insurance policy (https://www.tpl.ge/en/salespoints), and parking lots located in the vicinity of customs checkpoint;
 
- Specially designated STOP POINT areas will serve for trucks for refueling, paying the road fee, compulsory civil liability insurance policy of the owner of a motor vehicle registered in foreign countries. Availability to purchase personal necessities, food, WC and etc.
 
- In case of emergencies/ special needs (car accident, health problems, etc.), the driver should contact the relevant services and should remain in the cabin of truck before the representatives of those services will get to the driver. For these purposes driver shall call the Emergency and Operative Response Center at 112;

The truck should leave the territory of Georgia:
In case of transit movement (except for the movements from/to customs check point "Kazbegi") transport means shall leave the territory of Georgia within 24 hours since entering the country;

In other case (including the import movement and transit case of entering/leaving via customs checkpoint "Kazbegi" within 48 hours.
The time periods required for carrying out the customs formalities and stopping at parking lots located in the vicinity of Georgian State Customs Border Crossing Point shall not be counted.

It is strongly recommended to make only non-cash payment (online purchase, plastic card, etc.) and to use the personal protective equipment (medical mask, gloves, and etc).

NOTE:
STOP POINT located at:
- Urbnisi– Kareli districts, cadastral code: 68.16.45.054;
- Terjola– Trejola district, village Siktarva, cadastral code: 33.08.38.224;
- Gori – Gori district, village Tiniskhidi, cadastral code: 66.44.02.033;
- Zestaponi – Zestapoini district, village Argveta, cadastral code: 32.03.34.211.

- Maritime Transport

- Since 2 March, 2020 the Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia has implemented different measures in order to avoid the risk of community spread of the CORONAVIRUS Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Georgia.
- Government of Georgia has also put up health advisories at the sea checkpoints to inform travelers and ship crew on the precautionary measures to take when travelling, as well as to remain vigilant and adopt good hygiene practices.
- Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia implemented MARITIME HEALTH DECLARATION together with its Annexes - ATTACHMENT TO MARITIME DECLARATION OF HEALTH FOR CREW AND PASSENGERS.

Border Restrictions
- From 21 March, 2020 till 21 April 2020 the state of emergency has been declared on the territory of Georgia. Related restrictive measures include cutting of international passenger transportation by sea as well.
- As part of coronavirus (COVID-19) preventive measures, the Government of Georgia made a decision to impose restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals. The restrictions became effective from 18 March 2020, 00:00. The restrictions will apply to any foreign national except:

• Representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited to Georgia and their family members;
• Mixed families where one of the spouses or their under-age child is a citizen of Georgia;
• Persons arriving in Georgia as part of humanitarian mission – if trip of such mission (doctors, volunteers) to Georgia becomes a
• necessity;
• Individuals who have been granted the status of stateless person by respective authorities of Georgia;
• Individuals holding status-neutral travel documents;
• Individuals having a refugee status in Georgia;
• The issue of official delegations will be decided on a case-to-case basis.

- With immediate effect, Georgia ceased port calls for all cruise vessels.

Further Precautionary Measures
- All ships calling the Georgian ports shall at least 24 hours before calling the port submit MARITIME HEALTH DECLARATION together with its Annexes - ATTACHMENT TO MARITIME DECLARATION OF HEALTH FOR CREW AND PASSENGERS.
- If a Ship, her Crew or Passengers entered the countries considered to be High Risk countries (i.e. Peoples Republic of China, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Korea, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark or Austria) within last 21 days they will be subject to Thermal Screening by the authorized officers of Customs Department of the Revenue Service of Georgia.
- While ship’s Master has the obligation to submit completed forms before entering Georgian ports, he/she is also responsible for observing further health of ship’s crew and passengers while alongside, at anchorage points or in waiting areas and shall communicate any suspicious cases to the Harbour Master and appropriate authorities of subject Port without undue delay.
- If submitted documents show the existence of COVID-19 case or after screening the existence of COVID-19 is proved on board the ship, all possible contacts will be restricted with the subject vessel according to the recommendations issued by the World Health Organization.
- Pilots acting in Georgian ports must use personal safety equipment while going on-board of all ships, including: mask, single use gloves and safety glasses.

The current information on the flights is available on the website of LEPL Georgian Civil Aviation Agency http://www.gcaa.ge/geo/news.php?id=6495 which is being regularly updated with the latest information.

Since 21 March 2020 till 21 April 2020 the state of emergency has been declared on the territory of Georgia. As a result, all regular direct international flights are suspended. 

According to the Decree №186 of the Government of Georgia of 23 March 2020 all regular domestic flights are also suspended. The issues of non-regular (charter) flights will be resolved by case-on-case basis by the Civil Aviation Agency with consent of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

Government of Georgia has created a special web page (available in Georgian and English languages) https://stopcov.gov.ge/ where it is possible to find all relevant updates and contact information

Hotlines:
- Government hotline – 144
- MOH – 1505
- MOESD -  +995 322 991111

For transport related issues only:
Land Transport Agency: +995 32 2365501
Maritime Transport Agency:
For seafarers: +995 599 293746
For ship-owners: +995 577 221633; +995 597 818263; +995 577 221611; +995 577 221615
Legal consultation: +995 577 221623
Georgian Railway: +995 32 2198064, +995 577 621186

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO MINIMIZE RISK OF COMMUNITY SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) IN GEORGIA AS OF 15 APRIL, 2020