According to the decisions of the Republican Special Commission of January 9 and January 11, due to the “omicron” strain of the coronavirus, a new procedure has been established for entry into Uzbekistan from March 15.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

1. From January 15, citizens entering the territory of Uzbekistan (excluding traffic) must submit a PCR test with a negative result for coronavirus taken at least 48 hours before entry, as well as an express antigen test to determine the presence of coronavirus infection at the entrance to Uzbekistan.

2. Citizens entering Kyrgyzstan through border checkpoints must submit a PCR test with a negative result for coronavirus taken at least 48 hours before entry, and citizens entering from the territory of other neighboring countries must submit an express antigen test for coronavirus infection.

3. At the same time, from January 15, crossing the state border of Uzbekistan with Kazakhstan by citizens of the two countries will be suspended. Except for the following categories:

•  all categories of citizens entering by air;
•  citizens of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan who returned to their homeland (hereinafter referred to as citizens of the parties);
•  intergovernmental courier staff;
•  drivers engaged in international transportation;
•  persons in official (government) delegations;
•  employees of diplomatic missions, consular posts and international organizations, as well as their family members;
•  personnel servicing Uzbek facilities located on the territory of Kazakhstan, as well as Kazakh facilities located on the territory of Uzbekistan;
•  citizens of Uzbekistan, as well as Kazakhstan, carrying out investment projects in these countries;
•  citizens of Kazakhstan permanently residing in Uzbekistan, as well as citizens of Uzbekistan permanently residing in Kazakhstan;
•  citizens of the parties for the purpose of study;
•  citizens of the parties entering (leaving) for medical purposes in order to see their close relatives who are seriously ill or to attend the funerals of their close relatives;
•  the bodies of the deceased Uzbek citizens on the territory of Kazakhstan and the citizens of the parties accompanying the citizens of Kazakhstan on the territory of Uzbekistan.

Cost of express testing at airports – $5

According to Uzbekistan Airports, starting from January 15, the State Customs Committee and the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service will launch express test points in the landing halls of international airports in Uzbekistan. All passengers entering the country by air will undergo a coronavirus express test.

The cost of the test is set at the equivalent of $5, which is charged in soums at the CB rate. Students who present a student ID will receive a 50% discount. Tests are free for people with disabilities of group I and II. Children under 2 years of age will not be tested.

It was reported that the express test answer will be available in about 15 minutes. If the test shows a positive result, the citizen will be compulsorily sent to isolation.