As was previously reported, on 26 November, 2021 the two checkpoints “Khodjeyli -Kunya-Urgench” and “Shavat-Dashoguz” on the Turkmen-Uzbek border were re-opened, thanks to which a group of Turkmen students were able to come back to their home country from Turkmenistan.
After crossing the border the students were tested for COVID-19 by Turkmen healthcare practitioners. In case of a negative test result, they were sent home.
At the same time, correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” found out that the first group of Turkmen students returned to Turkmenistan from Uzbekistan through the border checkpoint “Shavat” before it was re-opened for vehicles on 9 November, 2021.
This group included 12 students from Dashoguz and Lebap velayats.Despite a negative COVID-19 test they were placed under quarantine.Parents were requested to pay 4100 manats ($1171 using the official rate or $170 at the current black market rate) for accommodation, meals, bed linen and toiletries.
According to parents, they were not against to cover the expenses because they were happy that their children had finally returned. Payment was made to the official account of the velayat’s healthcare department.
Students are allowed passage through border checkpoints in groups, according to the lists made by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Tashkent. If there were more natives of Lebap velayat in the group, they passed through “Farap” checkpoint or if there were more residents of Dashoguz velayat, the passage was provided through “Shavat”.
According to students, many Turkmen nationals are still stranded in Uzbekistan. Many of them have expired passports, but the Turkmen Embassy did not bother to extend them in a timely fashion.
However, there are those who look for an opportunity to stay in Uzbekistan rather than return home, for example, marry Uzbek nationals.
There are no jobs in Turkmenistan and we cannot leave the country. In Uzbekistan the situation is much better in this respect, one of the students in Bukhara said.
He also said it is quite common to see Turkmen youngsters employed as cleaners, kitchen maids, dough makers, waiters in Uzbekistan’s markets, who are unable or reluctant to return to their home country.The post Turkmen students repatriated from Uzbekistan pay for the quarantine facility first appeared on Chronicles of Turkmenistan.