Tajikistan has tightened control over its common border with Uzbekistan to reduce the risk of importing the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the Sughd sanitary and epidemiological station says.

In particular, health workers take a combine throat and nose swab for coronavirus from persons arriving from Uzbekistan despite their negative PCR/COVID-19 test.

Moreover, regardless of test results, these citizens must remain in home quarantine for 14 days after entering the Sughd province and wear a face mask      

Tajikistan had earlier tightened epidemiological control at the country’s border crossing points (BCPs) and airports after the Omicron variant had been reported, Navrouz Jafarov, an official with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population (MoHSPP), told Asia-Plus in an interview.

“All travelers entering Tajikistan must not only have a negative PCR/COVID-19 test certificate but also to get tested for coronavirus in Tajikistan as well,” the Tajik health official noted.    

“Flights arrive in the country from Russia and Uzbekistan, here the Omicron variant was reported,” said Jafarov.  “Therefore, no one now is immune from the penetration of the Omicron variant and it is necessary to tighten measures to prevent the spread of this strain.  

The Omicron variant has already been reported in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.  Tajik health officials claim that there is no this stain in Tajikistan yet.  

The Omicron variant was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by South Africa in late November last year.  Several European countries, as well as Australia, Canada, Israel, the United States and some other countries and regions have confirmed infections of the variant.

Omicron 

The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) is a variant of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) that was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) from South Africa on November 24, 2021.

Omicron multiplies around 70 times faster than the Delta variant in the bronchi (lung airways) but evidence suggests it is less severe than previous strains, especially compared to the Delta variant.  Omicron might be less able to penetrate deep lung tissue.  Omicron infections are 91 percent less fatal than the delta variant, with 51 percent less risk of hospitalization.  Overall, the extremely high rate of spread, combined with its ability to evade both double vaccination and the body's immune system, means the total number of patients requiring hospital care at any given time is still of great concern.