Georgia shuts border with Russia over coronavirus

Georgia will temporarily shut its border with Russia for travellers from March 16 in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus, the Georgian government said on Sunday. "This decision would not apply accordingly to the citizens of the Russian Federation and Georgia who wish to return to their home country," the Georgian government said on its website.

Restrictions will not apply to freight traffic. The ex-Soviet country of 3.7 million has 30 cases of coronavirus, the highest number in the South Caucasus region.

Earlier this month, Georgia elections officials delayed the state's presidential primary set for March 24 until May 19 in an effort to slow the spread of the pandemic.