Coronavirus
Coronavirus in Central Asia: An Opportunity for China?
China’s involvement in the race for vaccinations in Central Asia confirms its aim to increase relations with neighbouring countries, primed for over a decade with the New Silk Road project. [...]
Covid-19: Kazakhstan starts rollout of its QazVac jab
This Monday 26 April, Kazakhstan started rolling out its homegrown Covid-19 vaccine, QazVac. A symbol of Kazakhstan’s scientific potential, QazVac should eventually lead to a significant increase in vaccinations in… [...]
Mass vaccination programme starts in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan’s Covid-19 vaccination programme has started in Tashkent, Nukus and 12 regions across the country. In the first stage, vaccines are free and prioritised for clinically vulnerable groups and medical… [...]
Tajikistan’s tourism industry collapses in the wake of COVID
According to official statistics the number of tourists visiting Tajikistan fell by 72 per cent from 2019 to 2020. A version of this article was published on Novastan’s French… [...]
Kazakhstan’s second lockdown told by those who lived it
As parts of Kazakhstan face new restrictions in 2021, Novastan looks back at life during the country’s second lockdown, from 5 July to 16 August 2020. Strict measures were enacted… [...]
Support Novastan, the European Central Asia magazine
By supporting Novastan, you are supporting the only English, French and German-language media specialising in Central Asia. We're independent and we need your help to stay that way!Covid-19: Kazakhstan to use colour-coded system through new app
Kazakhstan is testing a new app, Ashyq, to restrict access to businesses depending on the user’s Covid-19 status, indicated by one of four colours. The app, currently in its testing… [...]
Tajikistan declares itself coronavirus-free
In an address to parliament, the president of Tajikistan announced there hadn’t been any new cases of Covid-19 in the country this year. Yet, observers and experts say the Central… [...]
Is Tajikistan really free from coronavirus?
As Tajikistan boasts a lack of coronavirus cases, both experts and the population raise doubts about the authorities’ sincerity. Could the government be hiding the truth, fearing panic and a… [...]