Radio Liberty Georgia: Two testing tents set up near the Enguri bridge passing point

Georgian service of the Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty reported yesterday that two COVID-19 testing tents have been set up near the Enguri bridge pass between Abkhazia and Georgia. RFE/RL’s local correspondent noted that other than the testing station, a medical facility has been set up to host individuals who test positive for COVID-19 or those who exhibit symptoms similar to those of the virus.

Head of Zugdidi Public Health Centre, Nana Odisharia told RFE/RL that the individuals who test negative would be able to pass freely, while those who test positive would either have to move to self-isolation or be transferred to a COVID clinic.

Earlier last week, the Georgian authorities announced that residents of Abkhazia would no longer need to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine. They are now able to take a PCR test at the Enguri pass instead.

Besides, residents of Abkhazia will now be able to voluntarily participate in Georgia’s nationwide vaccination program and travel to Georgia freely upon receiving two shots of the anti-coronavirus vaccine. It was later stated that the decision came shortly after discovering the bodies of four individuals who drowned while trying to cross the Enguri river to travel to Georgia-controlled territories.

As of now, the Enguri bridge, which has been closed from March 14, 2020, to February 11, 2021, amidst the outbreak of the global pandemic, is the only pass that can be used to travel from Abkhazia to Georgia and back.

According to the residents of Abkhazia, it is mostly to let through the retirees and persons with medical conditions that require them to travel to Georgia. In order to cross the Enguri bridge, one needs to obtain a pass costing GEL45 (approximately $13) and undergo a mandatory five-day quarantine upon returning back to Abkhazia.