Uzbekistan: Government to lock down Tashkent from March 24 to prevent further spread of COVID-19 /update 3

Event

On Monday, March 23, Uzbekistan's Special Commission for the Control of Coronavirus announced that the country's capital city Tashkent will be locked down starting on Tuesday, March 24, to prevent further spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Only permanent residents of Tashkent will be allowed entry into the city, and all transport, including buses, cars, aircraft, and rail, will be suspended, with the exception of cargo.

On Sunday, March 15, authorities announced that all foreign nationals will be barred from entering the country, while Uzbek nationals will be prohibited from departing. Additionally, schools, universities, and colleges will be closed for three weeks, and all public events have been canceled.

To date, there have been more than 40 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Uzbekistan. 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.