In Ashgabat forbid nasty words and fumigate the house of healing grass.
Turkmenistan is the only post-Soviet country, which still has not identified a single patient with coronavirus. Outside observers believe that Ashgabat hides not only infections, but also the death of citizens. An additional argument in favor of this version — the constraint Ashgabat contacts with representatives of the who. “Izvestia” versed in the situation.
International observers have questioned the truthfulness of the Turkmen data. So, human rights activists, Amnesty International claimed that the Ashgabat deliberately belittles the seriousness of the pandemic.
the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan believe that the Republic has not confirmed cases of infection, even if they detect it. The diplomatic mission noted that health protocols in the country do not meet the standards, and some individuals require medical examinations or tests which have nothing to do with COVID-19.
Turkmen Authorities deny suspicions. On 22 April this was stated by foreign Minister Rashid Meredov. “If there was at least one confirmed case, we would be immediately reported to the world health organization. We do not hide anything”, he said and invited representatives of international organizations to visit the Turkmen quarantine center.
the Mission of the who really went to the region. First, the organization’s experts visited Tajikistan. In this country, until recently there were no coronavirus. But the day before the mission — 30 April to Dushanbe for the first time acknowledged the presence of the infected. As of may 8, in Tajikistan identified 460 patients, 12 people died.
“a Necessary condition for the mission — an invitation from the local government, interested in assistance from the who. From Tajikistan who the invitation was received, and with Turkmenistan, as usual, impossible to agree,” he said on condition of anonymity, the employee of one of the UN agencies in Ashgabat.
the who representative in Turkmenistan Paulina Karwowska visited the quarantine establishment in the cities of Turkmenabat (formerly Chardzhou) and Turkmenbashi (former Krasnovodsk). After the tour, she stated that Ashgabat “works at the highest level.”
the attitude of the coronavirus in Turkmenistan is difficult. In February and March, state-run media to freely spread information about the disease in public institutions of Ashgabat were handing out leaflets with advice on combating the infection.
At the government meeting on March 16 about anti-virus, said President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
“Our wise forefathers lighted the Garman when you move to a new home, to the wedding and during certain times of the year when there were infectious diseases”, — the tale��l the head of state.
After that Garman twice a day began to fumigate schools, hospitals and public institutions. Even fumigated the rooms and halls of the conference in cooperation with the UN in Ashgabat.
the popular idea attributed healing properties to the stew of sheep’s heads and feet, which as a result quickly rose.
Next turn the state of mind occurred in early April.
the Term was excluded from the booklets that were circulated in the country, the citizens who speak about the pandemic or are on the street mask, threatened with arrest.
By the end of April — beginning of may in Turkmenistan established a third line of conduct. Instead of loud claims and outright bans, officials have turned to point solutions. Quarantine in the country did not enter, but at the entrances to cities and on major highways had set up checkpoints, where passing a non-contact way to check the temperature.
City buses, public transport began to be treated with a disinfectant solution. A special mode introduced in prisons, prisoners were forbidden to receive parcels. The remote mode of operation has passed by foreign embassies in Ashgabat.
One of them is in the city of Turkmenabad were videotaped. The footage shows that each tent installed 15-20 sets of bunk beds and a heater, which is not enough — some have to sleep in street clothes. The premises are not isolated: the newcomers live together with those who are discharged.
Another measure is the restriction of cash turnover. From 8 April to withdraw money only from ATMs of the Bank where issued the card. The country is also forbidden to remove from the card more than 800 AZN per day (17 thousand roubles).
on April 9, took a bike ride in honor of health day. April 19, resumed the football championship matches are held with the audience. On April 26, the Republic celebrated the Day of Turkmen horse day. The culmination of the celebrations was the transfer of the President official website of the best horses from regions and departments. The May 9 Victory day in the country will be celebrated with a military parade and fireworks.
Experts say that to judge the real situation in the country difficult. The state media publish only official information. Independent publications are guided by data runaway Turkmen oppositionists, their attention can also be engaged.
the Analyst Azhdar Kurtov in the interview with “Izvestiya” notes that epidemiological security of Turkmenistan contributes to the closeness of the country.
Head of the Department of Central Asia of Institute of the CIS countries Andrey Grozin stresses that public statistics in Turkmenistan, not only by the coronavirus, but also on HIV, tuberculosis,
