Health Ministry denies reports of mask mandate in Tashkent schools

First Deputy Chair of the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Wellbeing and Public Health, Nurmat Otabekov, commented on the issue.

“Social media users have misinterpreted the matter. They are referring to the decision issued by the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of Uzbekistan on 26 September this year. Please note the date – it was signed in September. Such documents are adopted every year ahead of the flu and acute respiratory infection season to provide recommendations to local institutions,” Otabekov said.

He explained that the decision only prescribes wearing medical masks when the epidemiological situation worsens. “At present, the situation is stable, so there is no need for mandatory mask-wearing in schools. If there are infected children within a group, masks are recommended only in areas where contact with the sick person is possible,” the expert added.

He also emphasized that for airborne infections, it is advisable to maintain social distancing and wear masks during close contact.

“The mask-wearing provision in the document is to be applied depending on the local situation. It should not be misinterpreted as a universal rule being introduced across all schools,” Otabekov noted.

The Ministry underlined that such annual documents are standard precautionary measures, designed to help institutions take appropriate steps based on the actual epidemiological conditions in their regions.