In Tajikistan, dozens of returned citizens bypassed quarantine for bribes
While the President of Tajikistan is celebrating Navruz holiday on a large scale, hundreds of quarantined citizens complain about terrible conditions. Previously, dozens of them paid a bribe and returned to their homes.
Today, in all regions of Tajikistan, the spring holiday of Navruz is celebrated on a large scale. The President will take part in a theatricalized performance at the stadium of the city of Khujand, which seats 25 thousand people. Up to 12 thousand students and schoolchildren will participate in the performance.
All this happens despite the call of the World Health Organization to be wary of organizing mass entertainment events. The Tajik authorities were preparing for the main theatricalized performance a month in advance. Every day, about 12 thousand students and schoolchildren of Sogd region were forcibly involved in rehearsals. In addition, during the days of the celebration of Navruz there will be horse races, various competitions, concerts and mass celebrations.
Officially, to date in Tajikistan, not a single case of coronavirus has been detected. The authorities closed the borders, stopped air transportation, all returnees are placed in special institutions for 14-day quarantine.
On March 20, about 500 citizens returned to Tajikistan, who were immediately taken out of town and placed in recreation areas. However, guests complain about the terrible conditions of quarantine. In particular, in institutions there is no water, toilets, heaters, and food delivery is not provided on time. Dozens of photos and videos from quarantine zones are posted on social networks.
Meanwhile, as ACCA reporters became aware, citizens, who had returned to the country earlier and who did not want to live in such conditions for two weeks, were able to bypass quarantine by paying bribes. ACCA became aware of several dozen similar cases in almost all regions of the country. Moreover, officials and representatives of law enforcement agencies arbitrarily took their relatives and friends from the quarantine zone.
If there are coronavirus-infected people, unhindered communication with relatives, as well as participation in celebrations in honor of Navruz, which is celebrated in Tajikistan for several days, among the people who have left quarantine, the country may encounter massive diseases of citizens with coronavirus.
Unlike other countries, all food service outlets, entertainment venues, shopping centers, and markets continue to operate in Tajikistan. The other day, the government lifted the ban on Friday prayers in mosques.
