The Sarazm-Jarteppa border crossing point (BCP) connecting the Tajik northern city of Panjakent with the Uzbek district of Urgut has reopened. So far, only trucks engaged in international transportation can proceed through this BPC, a source within the Tajik Customs Service told Asia-Plus in an interview.
The Sarazm-Jarteppa BCP was closed for traffic in March last year due to the coronavirus crisis. Practically all BCPs along the Tajik-Uzbek border were closed that time, and only three of them have operated since that time: Tusunzoda-Sariasiay; Mastchoh-Oibek; and Spitamen-Plotina. International goods have reportedly been transported through these BCPs.
Recall, three other BCPs reopened along Tajikistan’s common border with Uzbekistan in early December, but not all categories of citizens are allowed to proceed via these BCPs. Only Tajik students studying in Uzbekistan and Uzbek students studying in Tajikistan as well as those nationals of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan who have a wife, a husband or children in the neighboring country are still allowed to proceed via these BCPs.
Besides, nationals of both countries having written permission from the Standing Committees on COVID-19 Response of the two countries are allowed proceeding via these BCPs.
Persons wanting to proceed via these BCPs will have to show a negative coronavirus test completed within 72 hours (three days) before proceeding, the source added.
Currently, eighteen BCPs operate along the Tajik-Uzbek border; nine of them have an international status. Fourteen BCPs are located in the northern Sughd province and the remaining four BCPs are located in the southern Khatlon province and in the Tursunzoda district (central Tajikistan).
The border crossing points were reportedly sealed in mid-March due to the coronavirus crisis,
Meanwhile, negotiations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on resumption of regular flights in 2021 are still under way.
