Ask a COVID-19 Question
Last updated: November 9, 2020
Country-Specific Information:
- Turkmenistan has not officially acknowledged any cases of COVID-19 within its borders and may be disinclined to do so if cases were confirmed. The U.S. Embassy has received reports of local citizens with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 undergoing COVID-19 testing and being placed in quarantine in infectious diseases hospitals. We urge U.S. citizens in Turkmenistan to mitigate the possible spread of disease and to continue to wear facial coverings, practice physical distancing, frequent handwashing, and enhanced disinfection measures per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. The Embassy has strengthened its social distancing measures, instituted a mask policy on premises, and is operating under telework status to the extent possible.
- Grocery stores and school are open. Many stores, shopping malls, and restaurants are closed or have limited operations. Mosques and places of pilgrimage are closed and large gatherings are restricted.
- All international commercial flights to and from Turkmenistan have been cancelled and land borders are closed to passenger traffic. Some press reporting indicates that international flight restrictions are expected to continue through January 1, 2020.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
- Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes
- Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes
- Private U.S. citizens who intend to travel to Turkmenistan in the future should be aware that they will be required to provide a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours of departure from the United States or point of travel origin in order to enter Turkmenistan and will be tested again upon arrival. For further guidance on this requirement, travelers may contact the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Washington DC.
- Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes
- U.S. citizens in Turkmenistan who require visa extensions should request the extension through the State Migration Service in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Movement Restrictions:
- Is a curfew in place? No.
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes
- There are some reports of restrictions on interstate travel. These are subject to change without warning.
Quarantine Information:
- Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes
Mandatory medical screening and quarantine in a government facility for 21 days is required for private citizens upon arrival in Turkmenistan. A COVID-19 test should be taken upon completion of quarantine.
- Medical protocols in Turkmenistan are not consistent with U.S. standards, and in the past some U.S. citizens were required to undergo medical testing unrelated to COVID-19 while in quarantine. The U.S. Embassy recommends that its citizens decline any medical procedures beyond routine, non-invasive medical examination or temperature checks.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy via telephone number +993 12 940045 if you are subject to quarantine or prior to undergoing any invasive medical procedures.
COVID-19 Testing:
- Private foreign citizens—including U.S. citizens—who intend to depart Turkmenistan are no longer required to provide a COVID-19 test result. However, newspapers report that a COVID-19 test result is required for boarding domestic flights.
COVID-19 testing is offered in Ashgabat at Jemgyyetcilik Saglygy we Iymit Merkezi (the Virology Laboratory of the Public Health and Nutrition Center) on Gorgoly 84, Ashgabat. The test costs 100 manat for citizens of Turkmenistan and $43 for foreign citizens.
Transportation Options:
- Are commercial flights operating? No
- U.S. citizens and U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents who would like information about potential charter flights departing Turkmenistan may register their interest at AshgabatUSCitizen@state.gov. In general, citizens of Turkmenistan face departure restrictions and these restrictions apply to U.S. Lawful Permanent residents.
- Is public transportation operating? Yes
- Masks are required in most public places, including public transit.
Fines for Non-Compliance:
- While government guidance is not always clear, individuals who do not wear face coverings in public, including while driving in an automobile, may be subject to fines.
Consular Operations:
- American Citizen Services. The Consular Section provides emergency services but has suspended routine U.S. citizen services. For emergencies, please send an email to consularashgab@state.gov or call (993) 12 94 00 45.
- Visa Services. In response to significant worldwide challengers related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Embassy in Turkmenistan remains unable to resume routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services at this time. If you have an urgent matter, please send an email to consularashgab@state.gov.
Local Resources:
- The Government of Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Health has established a COVID-19 hotline (tel. +993 12 73 9535) where citizens may receive information about the virus, including prevention and treatment, in both Russian and Turkmen languages.
- Other links:
- View U.S. Embassy Turkmenistan’s alerts here.
- COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov
- CDC page on COVID-19
- Gov Country Information and Travel Advisory page
