People continue to shake hands in Turkmenistan
No cases of infection with the COVID-19 virus have been recorded in Turkmenistan, and therefore handshakes are still held in esteem. At the Ashgabat conference on cooperation between the country and the UN, high-ranking officials and representatives of international organizations neither abandoned a standard greeting, nor refused to participate in mass events. But the country has undertaken a number of large-scale preventive measures.
Medical teams were on duty at the conference venue. All those entering the building treated their hands with an iodine-based antiseptic for topical application with a wide spectrum of action, rubbed oxolinic ointment in the nose. Temperature was selectively measured.
The rooms and conference halls were smoked with the peganum, which also has healing properties and inhibits the growth of bacteria.
Undoubtedly, minimizing contact and isolation is the most effective way to prevent the spread of any disease. But for politicians and officials this is barely possible as the duties require being in public and keeping in touch with colleagues both domestically and abroad. Supplementing the protocol of measures with medical control and antiseptic treatment points is the most acceptable option.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Industry also strongly recommends all residents of Turkmenistan not to give in to panic, follow recommendations for maintaining personal hygiene, and wash hands after public contacts.
Altyn ASHIROVA
