Uzbekistan will offer $3,000 (2,670 euros) to every tourist who contracts the coronavirus on its territory. In a country of more than 30 million people, severe lock-down measures were put in place to prevent the spread of the virus. There have been 19 reported cases of Covid-19.
A popular destination on the Silk Road, the country is confident in its ability to prevent the spread of the virus. The Central Asian country would like to see again tourists visiting beautiful mosques and mausoleums.
“We want to reassure tourists,” explained Sufi Abbotson, the Tourism Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the United Kingdom. “The government is so confident about health and safety rules in the tourism sector that our president is ready to give money.”
Fourteen-day quarantine for Europeans
The promise by the Uzbek authorities is subject to a few conditions, however. To be eligible, it is essential to have toured the country with a local guide. For the time being only people traveling from China, Israel, Japan or South Korea can enter the country without any health controls or restrictions.
Travelers from Europe, on the other hand, must for the time being spend 14 days in quarantine before they can tour the country.
Local tour guides, residences and tourist destinations will need a government certificate to prove that they are complying with established safety and other guidelines.
Last year, Uzbekistan was named the fourth most dynamic tourist market in the world by the United Nations.
