Uzbekistan has temporarily suspended the movement of citizens across the Uzbek-Afghan border amid the aggravating epidemic situation in Afghanistan, the Uzbek Health Ministry said on June 22, according to Podrobno.uz.
The country will keep its only cross-border checkpoint open for diplomats, employees of consulates and international organizations and their families, as well as for drivers of international cargo freight companies, the ministry said.
Uzbek and Afghan citizens returning to their home country will also be allowed to cross the border, but foreign citizens will not be allowed to enter Uzbekistan.
Citizens of Uzbekistan tested positive for COVID-19 will be sent for treatment to special clinics.
Foreign nationals tested positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter the territory of Uzbekistan.
Afghanistan’s TOLO News, citing Afghan officials, says Uzbekistan closed its border with Afghanistan to prevent the spreading of the coronavirus,
“This morning, the border with Uzbekistan was closed by the Uzbekistani side,” Ahmad Monir Farhad, spokesman for the Balkh governor.
According to the Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan, more than 50 suspected cases of the coronavirus were reported in Helmand, Herat, Logar and Balkh province on Monday.
Meanwhile, it is to be noted that the situation in northern Afghanistan is getting tense as Taliban militants entered Kunduz and Faryab provinces taking dozens of rural districts in recent weeks.
