Georgia’s success at testing, identifying, containing, and treating victims of the pandemic among its citizens has hastened efforts to re-start the economy and re-open the country. Testing with the “gold standard” Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was common. The extremely low rate of infection in Georgia has allowed it to share medical ventilators with its neighbor Armenia.
At this moment, Georgia ranks as one of the standouts of global anti-pandemic efforts with 879 identified infections, 724 recoveries, and, regrettably, 14 deaths.
As noted in the last Georgia News, the government has advanced plans for both re-opening and recovery. To recap:
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- Small shops were re-opened and industrial production was re-started on May 11.
- The state of emergency and nightly curfew was lifted on May 23.
- Public transport was re-started on May 29.
- Shops (excluding malls) and restaurants and cafés re-opened on June 1.
- Internal travel was relaxed on June 1.
- International travel to Georgia (from select countries) will re-start on July 1.
Recovering a significant rate of international arrivals is a high priority, as tourism is a major engine of Georgia’s economy. Mandatory internationally recognized COVID-19 protocols for the hospitality industry are being enforced. Georgia’s five airports, which served over 600 flights during the virus lockdown, will be outfitted and staff trained to enforce these protocols. Georgia is negotiating with a number of European nations to create “safe corridors” for international visitors. “Green zone countries”—that is, those who proved capable of handling the pandemic at home successfully—will receive priority status. Visitors from these countries will not be required to present a COVID-19 negative certificate or undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival in Georgia. Citizens of the Czech Republic, the Baltic States, Poland, and Greece will be among the first recipients of expedited entry.
A number of international airlines have announced that direct flights to Tbilisi will soon be reinstated. Air Baltic has designated Georgia as one of the preferred vacation destinations for Europeans in 2020. And Forbes named Georgia as one among seven countries with the potential to become major tourist destinations in the post-pandemic world. European Best Destinations rated Tbilisi and Batumi the safest places to travel in Europe in 2020.
Georgia’s economy contracted 3.6% (annual) from January to April, as a result of decreased demand caused by the pandemic, according to PWC, which analyzed a variety of pressures on business going forward. Year-on-year GDP fell 16.6%. The World Bank cut its growth forecast for Georgia. The volume of business sector turnover increased by 13.5% in Georgia in 2020’s first quarter, falling below the international average of about 17%. The government added a credit guarantee program to its “Produce in Georgia” campaign with the intent of helping existing local companies to maintain stability and liquidity while incentivizing the creation of new ones.