Turkmenistan: Authorities extend suspension of international flights until December 31 /update 3

Event

Authorities in Turkmenistan have further extended the suspension of international flights and domestic rail services and bus services until at least December 31, as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Land borders with neighboring Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, remain closed until further notice. Only nationals, permanent residents, diplomats, and workers in essential industries can enter the country. Individuals permitted to enter are required to quarantine for 14 days at a state-run facility, and those departing are required to provide a negative COVID-19 certificate signed within the previous 24 hours prior to departure.

Domestic flights are operating on a reduced schedule and with strict protocols in place. Inter-provincial travel is permitted; additional checkpoints remain on highways and additional screening measures continue to be carried out.

Restaurants and cafes are open nationwide, for delivery services. Entertainment venues, leisure facilities, cultural venues, shopping malls, houses of worship, and sports facilities and establishments remain closed indefinitely. Educational facilities have reopened with stringent health measures in place. Individuals are required to wear face masks in public and individuals should maintain a social distance of 1m (3ft) between each other.

As of Wednesday, November 4, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Turkmenistan. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in 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). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

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

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

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 disease.