Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A number of systematic measures are being taken in Uzbekistan to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the organization at the highest level of joint efforts by government bodies and the public to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the Republic of Uzbekistan among the CIS countries, which also became a positive assessment of the work being done.

Conscious observance by our citizens of the established rules and procedures under quarantine conditions is becoming an important factor holding back the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, the effective organization of measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization requires additional measures in this regard.

In connection with this decision of the joint meeting of the Republican Special Commission and the Special Staff from 14 April 2020, the following measures were identified to prevent the mass spread of coronavirus infection and ensure strict compliance with the declared quarantine requirements:

- all restrictions on preventing the mass spread of coronavirus infection existing in the cities of Tashkent, Nukus and regional centers also apply to the cities of Angren, Bekabad, Almalyk, Chirchik and Yangiyul, Tashkent region;

- in order to protect the health of pensioners and beneficiaries, as well as in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, until May the country’s epidemiological situation stabilizes, measures will be taken to transfer pensions and benefits to plastic cards in full. At the same time, all regions will be provided with ATMs that allow you to withdraw cash, and ATMs will be provided with cash;

- cash warehouses and cash registers for money conversion will be disinfected twice a week;

- special permits issued by the centers of state services for movement between regions, in the cities of Tashkent, Nukus and regional centers, will be valid until the end of quarantine (no additional actions are required to extend the term of special permits).

The joint decision notes that in order to avoid misunderstandings related to the practical application of the list of cases in which special permits for the movement of vehicles, approved by the protocol of the Republican Special Commission No. 17 from 8 April 2020, are not specified, it is separately indicated that for the following vehicles no special permissions (sticker) for movement are required:

- personal and official vehicles of workers and organizations of the state health care system (paragraph 1);

- official vehicles of private medical organizations (private clinic, pharmacy and other medical institutions) (paragraph 2);

- a non-linear taxi licensed to carry passengers (including vehicles with personal state numbers), only for the purpose of providing delivery services without passengers.

At the same time, in a joint decision, the State Tax Committee was instructed to take measures to prevent the unjustified artificial increase in prices for foodstuffs, medicines, medical products and supplies, as well as for essential goods delivery services.

According to a joint decision, the payment of pensions (benefits) to citizens whose disability expires during the quarantine period will continue with the automatic extension of the period of incapacity for work without re-examination.

In addition, citizens who, during quarantine, have the right to pensions and benefits (including one-time benefits in connection with the funeral ceremony and on the occasion of the birth of a child) are given the right to apply to the district (city) offices of the Pension Fund within 1 month after quarantine ends. At the same time, pensions (benefits) are assigned to them from the date the right arose during the period of quarantine restrictions.

The terms of payment to persons receiving a pension (allowance) by bank plastic cards and power of attorney, as well as those who have expired proof of eligibility for a pension (allowance) or have expired an identity document (passport), are extended for 4 months without requiring citizens to documents.

The authorization has been determined for the continuation of the activities of important areas of the economy and large industrial enterprises, as well as the continuation (start) of construction, reconstruction and repair work on large construction sites in accordance with the decision of the heads of the regional headquarters of the Republican Special Commission.

At the same time, personal responsibility for observing the rules of sanitation and hygiene at these enterprises during their activity, organizing activities only in the territory of the corresponding facility, as well as organizing catering for workers in the territory of this facility is vested in the heads of relevant business associations, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and khokims of the regions and the city of Tashkent.