The first tourist flow to Tbilisi and Batumi is expected by September. In order to visit these cities, you will need to make new documents, which will cost at least 5000 rubles.
Before the coronavirus outbreak, tourists from Russia were allowed to visit Georgia without a special visa. A stamp was put in the tourist's passport and they were allowed to go further. To obtain a work visa, it was necessary to pay 1 thousand rubles, after which it could be used for 6 years. The new rules will complicate entry, since Georgia will introduce "Immune Passports".
So what is the reason that Tbilisi will now not allow travelers with Russian passports to enter?
The reason is simple - such documents do not guarantee the absence of Covid-19. In order to minimize the risk of infection, the Georgian government began to consider methods that will help check those entering the country.
An explanation was given by a tourism expert.
UN Secretary General for World Tourism Zurab Pololikashvili noted that Georgia has begun developing a new mechanism for monitoring tourists. Most likely, we are talking about immunity passports, a practice that was previously introduced in China. Georgian authorities have stated that by the time foreigners arrive in September, they will be ready to receive guests - in other words, they will be waiting for the pandemic to subside and preparing forms for the immunity passport all this time. With such a document, there should be no problems when passing customs control.
China has previously introduced similar measures to strengthen control. Since April 12, a special certificate is required to travel to Beijing. Thailand has introduced similar measures, along with mandatory insurance for $100. Germany, Great Britain and the United States are also considering developing an immunity passport.
This document will need to be shown when passing through customs control, when checking into a hotel, and even when visiting a restaurant.
If a tourist has only a foreign passport, he will not be allowed into Georgia. Only those foreigners who received the document through a medical company approved by Georgia, and who also received the results of tests several times before visiting Georgia, will be able to pass through customs.
Experts noted that the approximate price of such procedures will be from 5 thousand rubles. This amount will include the test, forms, payment for agency services and other expenses.
In the realities of the modern world, travel safety will now be the top priority for tourists, and in 2020, many will have their priorities changed. Perhaps this step by the Georgian authorities will only attract more new travelers to Georgia, and this may help get out of the crisis that has come.
