Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (March 6, 2020)

Location: Turkmenistan

Event: There is an ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in Wuhan, China. The global public health threat posed by COVID-19 is high, with more than 80,000 reported cases worldwide.

The government of Turkmenistan has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. Visit the website of U.S. Embassy Ashgabat for additional information on these new measures.

On March 4th, the government of Turkmenistan began to redirect all international flights to Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan, which is 291 miles from Ashgabat. Passengers are required to undergo medical screening and possibly involuntary quarantine at local medical facilities.

Actions to Take:

Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19
Check with your airline before traveling regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Carry medical evacuation insurance and verify that COVID-19 is covered under your policy.
Consider declining any invasive medical procedures related to COVID-19 in Turkmenistan as medical protocols do not comply with U.S. standards.
Carry additional supplies of necessary medication in carry-on luggage.
Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
Seek medical care right away if you believe you may have COVID-19 (or similar symptoms) or were exposed to someone who may have COVID-19 in the last six weeks.