Uzbekistan: Government to lock down Samarkand, Namangan, and Andijan from March 27 due to COVID-19 /update 4

Event

On Thursday, March 26, Uzbek authorities announced that the cities of Samarkand, Namangan, and Andijan will be placed on lockdown from Friday, March 27, until further notice to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Only permanent residents will be allowed entry into the cities, and all transport, including buses, cars, aircraft, and rail, will be suspended, with the exception of cargo. Those found in violation of the lockdown will be subject to legal action. 

Other containment measures remain in place as of Thursday, including a lockdown on the capital city of Tashkent. An entry ban on all foreign nationals came into effect on March 15, while Uzbek nationals have been prohibited from departing the country. Additionally, schools, universities, and colleges have been closed, and all public events canceled.

As of March 26, there are 65 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the virus.