How does the capital of Uzbekistan live under the strict quarantine to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus pandemic?
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On March 22, the use of public transport in Tashkent was temporarily prohibited due to the pandemic threat.
Tashkent Metro was closed for the first time in 43 years.
Since March 23, people not wearing masks are fined throughout Uzbekistan. In particular, the fine for staying in public places without a mask was increased from one to five basic calculated values (currently, the basic calculated value is 223 thousand soms, or $ 23.4).
Therefore, everything has to be done in masks now: talking with neighbors, trading on the market, going for a run and even sweeping the streets.
It is recommended to wear not only the mask, but also the gloves. However, people without gloves are not fined.
Immediately after quarantine introduction, checkpoints were installed in Tashkent. Police officers registered the names of people who were outside, monitored the wearing of masks. Most often, they stopped elderly people, warning them that people over 65 needed to stay at home and go only to the pharmacy or grocery stores.
From the first days of quarantine, all cafes and restaurants were closed. This homemade Uzbek cuisine cafe also had to close for quarantine.
Therefore, many restaurants work for delivery from the first days of quarantine.
Since April 1, Tashkent residents were prohibited to drive private cars. Later, they were allowed to use a taxi for deliveries only; the taxi drivers were fined for picking up the passengers. On May 1, driving private cars was allowed from 7 to 10 AM and from 17 to 20 PM. Perhaps, Islamic holy month of fasting, Ramadan, influenced the easing of the ban.
When the public transport was prohibited, many cyclists appeared on the city streets. However, they were only allowed to go to the grocery stores and pharmacies.
In the early days of quarantine, police officers patrolled the city, warning people to stay at home. Now, the outdoor banners near the intersections warn about it.
Most Tashkent residents stay at home. The streets of the Uzbek capital are empty.
However, it is possible to obtain permission to sell groceries.
On the markets, sellers were obliged to cover the products with plastic film. According to the sellers, this is done for keeping a distance.
In addition, at the entrances to shops, markets, banks and other public facilities that still work, visitors are required to observe a distance of 1.5 meters from each other.
At the entrances to the shops, security guards take the visitors’ temperature with non-contact thermometers. In addition, the large stores require visitors to disinfect their hands and even offer disposable gloves.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan, markets and grocery stores, vehicles that provide taxi services, various institutions and production shops, underpasses and other public places are being disinfected.
The National Guard of Uzbekistan participates in many disinfection procedures.
This article was prepared as part of the Giving Voice, Driving Change – from the Borderland to the Steppes Project.