Dear Sarah and Juan,

Upon your request, we would like to kindly provide you with the following information:

According to the current regulations, the procedure for testing on COVID-19 is as follows:

First of all, the relevant medical personnel evaluates patient’s health condition. If a patient has any symptoms related to the diseases and has a travel history to high risk countries/direct close contact with a person that is tested positive on COVID-19, in such case, the laboratory team from Lugar Center is called to take the samples for testing.

As for the mandatory quarantine, as Dr. Tamar Gabunia mentioned, under the existed regulations, self-isolation is one of the options of the quarantine. If the diplomatic mission takes responsibility to guarantee secure transportation of diplomats and/or their families arriving from high-risk countries and further isolation and monitoring, the rule of self-isolation will apply to them. In such case, please, provide us details (address, contact information) of a person under self-isolation. 

Hereby, it should be noted that after arrival in Georgia, in every check point, each traveler will undergo entry screening, which includes temperature screening and collection of epidemiological information by the epidemiologist. If any symptoms are reviled, patient will be directed to one of the infectious diseases hospitals.

As for the diplomat arriving tomorrow from Munich, the notification is sent to the relevant authorities. 

If you require further information please, do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

Maia Nikoleishvili MPA

Acting Head of International Relations and Protocol Division of Administration

Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia

Address: 144 Tsereteli ave., 0159 Tbilisi, Georgia

Tel.: +995 32 2510034 (0803)

Cell phone: +995 577272713

E-mail: mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge

Dear Juan

Many thanks for your e-mail. Sorry for an interrupted communication. As I’ve mentioned self-isolation is an acceptable option and we are happy to hear that the Embassy will be take care of incoming travelers.

As for the monitoring of medical cases, we would be more than happy to work with you on a joint protocol to define the care pathways and responsibilities. CC Dr Gamkrelidze for his guidance an inputs.

With kind regards

Please do not hesitate to contact on phone any time 599071018

Best

Tamar

პატივისცემით,

თამარ გაბუნია

მინისტრის პირველი მოადგილე

Sincerely,

Tamar Gabunia, MD, MPH

First Deputy Minister

Dr. Gabunia, Maia,

In an effort to join the disparate communications channels, I am adding our Medical Officer Sarah Cummings here.  She informed us of your response via telephone – thank you in advance for allowing us to collect and assume responsibility for our travelers.  We look forward to hearing your official response regarding the Embassy Medical Unit monitoring mild/moderate cases. 

If someone could confirm receipt of this message, that would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

Best,

Juan José Aparicio | Political Officer

United States Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia

(O): +995 32 227 76 29 | (M) +995 598 080 254 

Email: AparicioJJ@state.gov

Thank you, ma’am!

I know our medical staff contacted Maia with the message below, but I wanted to make sure and flag it for you as well since we have personnel who will be arriving early tomorrow morning:

As we continue to plan measures to combat the disease, the US Embassy is interested in formalizing more narrow health guidelines for our Employees. 

Since we have full medical capabilities for monitoring and early treatment of COVID-19, we would like to perform medical supervision of our American diplomats to treat and monitor COVID-19 cases with self-isolation.  Please advise how we can best formalize the testing, monitoring, and reporting procedures with the NCDC.   If necessary, we are able to provide a Diplomatic Note with this request. 

Additionally, with the new quarantine requirements issued by the government, can you advise if travelers arriving from countries with increasing infection dynamics will be able to self-quarantine or will they be transported to facilities for two weeks of monitoring?  Again, we prefer to monitor and treat our American diplomats and their families with self-quarantine.  To this end, we guarantee secure transport from the airport and monitoring of our impacted American diplomats and families during this time period and would provide any reporting that NCDC or the Ministry of Health requests. 

Many thanks for your consideration and prompt response.

Dear Mr. Aparicio

Many thanks for your e-mail and follow up on needed commodities to strengthen COVID19 national response. Much appreciated! I’ve contacted colleagues at UNICEF to obtain the list mentioned in your e-mail. This is not our latest submission but what was considered feasible with UN support (Please find attached e-mail communication with UNICEF). In addition I am sending the list with all needed items developed by the ministry a couple of weeks ago.

Should you have additional questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

With kind regards

პატივისცემით,

თამარ გაბუნია

მინისტრის პირველი მოადგილე

Sincerely,

Tamar Gabunia, MD, MPH

First Deputy Minister

Hello Dr. Gabunia,

We heard from UNICEF yesterday that the Ministry had submitted an updated assistance request to them?  Is there any chance you can send me that updated request?  Department of State is making a pot of funds available and we would like to examine the list as soon as possible.  Thank you!

Best,

Juan José Aparicio | Political Officer

United States Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia

(O): +995 32 227 76 29 | (M) +995 598 080 254 

Email: AparicioJJ@state.gov