Latest on the Coronavirus Crisis from Georgia
Georgian health experts and authorities continue to experience success against the COVID-19 assault. At this writing, 702 Georgian citizens are known to have tested positive for the virus, 456 have recovered, and, regrettably, 12 have died. Georgia’s fatality rate per hundred thousand from the virus is among the lowest in the world.
Life in Georgia has begun a slow return to normal. Lockdowns on several larger cities have been lifted; public service halls and community centers have resumed work; construction and auto repair centers have resumed operations; and all shops, except malls, clothing, and shoe stores, reopened on May 11.
Aiding Georgia’s diaspora in need during the crisis has been a special challenge. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has now returned to Georgia more than 10,000 Georgians—many students or businesspeople—from the United States, Europe, and Asia on 61 specially chartered flights, with additional flights scheduled throughout May. Land and water vehicles returned those whom flights could not reach. Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said the government prioritized assisting people with special needs, especially those seriously ill, elderly, expectant mothers, or minors. All were required a 14-day quarantine on arriving home. A similarly intense effort was carried out by Georgia’s diplomatic representations abroad to provide assistance and up-to-date information to those who could not return to Georgia.