Georgia Introduces Restrictions on Travel from Some of the Countries Due to the New Covid Variant
By Nika Gamtsemlidze
Monday, November 29
The World Health Organization has called the new variant of the coronavirus, Omicron, ‘disturbing’, which, according to preliminary data, is characterized by multiple mutations and an increased risk of re-infection.
The WHO said in a statement on Friday that the number of cases of this variant of the coronavirus (originally called B.1.1.529) was increasing in all provinces of South Africa. The World Health Organization says it will take several weeks to determine what the impact of the new variant of the coronavirus is and how contagious it is.
On November 28, in connection with the spread of the new strain of the coronavirus, Omicron, Georgian authorities announced that regulations would be imposed on citizens of 8 countries when crossing the Georgian border.
According to the information, everyone with a travel history from these eight countries will have to self-isolate for 14 days. Among these countries are South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, and Malawi.
“After 14 days of isolation/quarantine, individuals will undergo PCR examination. In the case of Georgian citizens, the costs of the quarantine hotel and PCR examination will be covered by the state, and in the case of foreign citizens - by the foreign citizen himself,” said the statement regarding the restrictions.
According to the director of the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Tengiz Tsertsvadze, at this stage, it is unknown whether the new strain of coronavirus, Omicron, is more dangerous than the delta strain currently spreading in Georgia. In addition, according to Tsertsvadze, it has not been investigated yet whether the existing vaccines will affect the new strain.
Allergologist-immunologist Bidzina Kulumbegov says that the information on the new strain of coronavirus, Omicron, suggests that it may be less affected by existing vaccines, as well as immunity acquired as a result of already transmitted strains. He suggests that such a case would increase the risks of reinfection.
The immunologist says that personal protective equipment, such as wearing a face mask, frequent disinfection, and keeping a distance, protects us from all types of strains.
According to Amiran Gamkrelidze, director of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Lugar's laboratory is working on a protocol to determine where a new strain of coronavirus can be suspected in Georgia. He said in case of detection of specific spaces, there will be stricter supervision.
