Georgia has announced the lifting of restrictions for international travelers arriving by air from any country, provided they can prove they have received a two-dose course of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Entry Rules for Non-Vaccinated Travelers
There are distinct entry requirements for unvaccinated visitors from European Union member states, Israel, Switzerland, Norway, US, UK, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Georgia. Moreover, travelers from these areas must:
- Travel by air directly from their country.
- Present a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to their travel to Georgia.
- Undergo another test on the third day of their stay at their own expense.
- Complete a form outlining their contact details and travel history over the previous 14 days.
Consequently, those who have traveled to the UK and Northern Ireland within the last 14 days will be required to undergo mandatory quarantine for 12 days.
The Appeal of Georgia
Before the COVID-19 lockdown, tourism numbers in Georgia reached an impressive peak of over nine million in 2019. Anna Deviata, the founder of Tbilisi Hack Free Tours, indicated that tourists were attracted to Georgia’s offerings of “great natural food, beautiful mountains, ancient cities rich in culture and history, a wide variety of wines along with the entire wine-making and drinking tradition, friendly prices, and incredibly hospitable people.”
Local Tour Companies Welcome New Regulations
The decision to open the country’s borders was positively received by local tour companies, which experienced a significant drop in tourism. Grigoli Paghava, the owner of Budget Georgia, expressed that “we had exponential success in early March 2020. We’ve never seen so many tourists at this time of year. However, from March 17 everything changed. New inquiries ceased within two days, resulting in a sudden drop from 100 to 0.”
Embracing Safe Travel in Georgia’s Nature
For travelers seeking an escape from the chaotic global situation, Georgia’s isolated mountains provide ample opportunities for solace. Paghava noted that “social distancing is more feasible in the remote areas and mountains, though the risk is still prevalent.”
Hiking and Outdoor Adventures
The Georgian mountains have become a premier hiking destination during summer; however, many remote communities in expanding tourism regions. Areas such as Svaneti and Tusheti remain largely inaccessible for much of the year due to extreme altitude and harsh snowstorms.
