Tashkent, March 27 -- Uzbekistan is locking down the cities of Samarkand, Namangan, Andijan, Gulistan, Navoi, and Bukhara, as well as the whole of Surxondaryo region to prevent the spread of coronavirus, municipal authorities said on Thursday.

So far the virus has been detected in Tashkent, Namangan and Andijan. Uzbekistan closed all external borders from March 23 and made it mandatory for everyone to wear face masks at all times in public places.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from UzReport....