The Georgian authorities will not allow the epidemiological situation in the country to worsen with the opening of borders, Georgia News reported referring to Deputy Health Minister Tamar Gabunia.

Her remarks came during an interview with Public Television.

Georgia will reopen borders for some foreign tourists from July 1. In the coming days, the authorities should submit a list of safe countries whose citizens will be allowed to travel to Georgia.

Tourists from Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, the Baltic countries, etc. are expected to be allowed to visit Georgia, while Russia, Turkey, Armenia, and several others will not be included in this list amid the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

According to the deputy minister, Georgia was negotiating the resumption of tourist trips with Israel, however, the epidemiological situation there worsened, and they revised this decision.

Gabunia added that the EU authorities have chosen a similar strategy.

Georgia recorded its first COVID-19 case on February 26. The total number of cases there has reached 917. 

In the meantime, 776 patients have already recovered, while the death toll is 14.

A total of 2,678 people are in quarantine, and 260 patients are hospitalized.