Eurasianet

Employers are now effectively required to demand proof of vaccinations from their workers. But the country’s health care system is now being pushed to the limit.

The government hopes to boost vaccination rates, but a new anti-vaccine campaign is on the rise.

The new rules come as the country is trying to stave off a third wave of the virus and vaccination numbers remain in the low single digits.

While clumsy on COVID-19, Turkmenistan is being more sure-footed, or consistent at least, on the Afghanistan front. Plus, unsustainable agriculture. Our weekly briefing.

The government signals it is taking COVID a bit more seriously, without admitting the virus is running rampant. And Ashgabat gets down to business with the Taliban. This and more in our weekly briefing.

That Central Asia's presidents seemed to enjoy themselves together was itself a breakthrough. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan briefing.

Iranians have been flooding into Armenia to get COVID vaccines, causing Tehran to complain and Yerevan to tighten the rules.

Cases are rising rapidly and vaccines – for those who want them – are hard to find.

The health minister then drank the concoction at a press conference.

The region appears wholly unprepared for the latest rise in cases.

It can take four days to get to the front of the line at this bitterly cold pass almost two miles high.

Analysts believe the country may be benefiting from herd immunity after devastation last year.

Spraying chlorine, new infrastructure on the Afghan border, and claims of a naturally occurring COVID vaccine. This and more in our weekly Turkmenistan bulletin.

Surabaldiyeva says "several thousand" people may have died.

Uzbekistan, Tajikistan are taking triumphalist stances on coronavirus.