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COVID-19: Tajikistan Situation Report # 6, 11 May 2020

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This report is produced by the Office of UN Resident Coordinator and OCHA HAT in collaboration with international partners. It covers the period of April 5 - 11 May 2020. The next report will be issued on or around May 18, 2020.

  • Temporary hospital for treatment of COVID-19 infected patients opened in Dushanbe.

  • All schools are released for early summer vacations.

  • Opening of non-food markets in Dushanbe has been postponed until 31 May 2020.

Tajikistan situation overview

• As of 11 May 2020 (17:30 local time) a total of 661 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 21 deaths have been reported by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoSHP). On May 9, 2020 MoHSP reported that 4738 patients are admitted to hospitals throughout the country and remain under supervision of medical staff.

• Major public concern regarding large number of pneumonia caused deaths, heavily overstretched hospitals, lack of protocols for testing, testing possibilities particular for those outside of Dushanbe, drastic lack of PPE for medical staff, as well as shortage of medicines in the drugstores continues to be on rise.

• On 8 May 2020 a temporary hospital in Dushanbe was opened with 500 beds for treatment of COVID-19 infected patients by 150 doctors. Newly constructed building of Republican Medical College has been appropriated for the purpose.

• WHO mission that arrived on 1 May continues its work and up to date held number of meetings with high-level officials, public health counterparts in Dushanbe and regions, civil society and media to assess the risks and recommend measures for strengthening response mechanisms. The mission arrived at the request of the Government to support the Tajik authorities in managing the response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

• Group of Uzbekistan healthcare experts continue their mission in Tajikistan, assisting and advising local healthcare specialists on diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 cases, through provision of trainings and consultations, as well as advising on methodological guidance.

• A new COVID-19 hotline “311” has been launched, in addition to existing “511” hotline operated by MoHSP. Both hotlines work 24/7 and operated by medical and health experts.

• Authorities enforce mandatory use of masks by population and social distancing in public places, including public transport through communication campaign as well as inspections by the staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the streets.

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan will automatically extend the length of stay of foreign citizens and stateless persons who are temporarily in the Republic of Tajikistan until July 1, 2020.

• All schoolchildren and university students were released for early summer vacations. School graduates are expected to return for graduation examinations in mid-June, while University graduates are supposed to pass their graduation examinations by 15 May 2020. All kindergartens are closed until stabilization of epidemiological situation in the country. Closure of non-food markets and shopping malls in Dushanbe has been extended until 31 May 2020. Other public services (food markets, public transport, banks and etc.) are functioning in regular mode. Public events, including sports events, public meetings, cinema showings and theatre performances is temporarily banned throughout the country.

• Important movement of population within Tajikistan have been observed, with families, children and students leaving Dushanbe to reach their hometown in GBAO. Increase in local transport cost between Dushanbe and Khorog was reported, up by 25 percent compared to pre-COVID-19.

• No changes have been reported on status of borders. Airports remain closed, while railway routes remain open for cargo.