Conflicting reports from Tajikistan create confusion about the situation related to COVID-19 in the country. While much of the world is practicing social distancing, Tajikistan's soccer season in under way and thousands turned out to celebrate Navruz, the Persian new year in late March. Independent media outlets reporting on suspected cases have largely been blocked, while at the same time press reporting on the Ministry of Health's efforts to combat an impending COVID-19 outbreak is prominent. As Tajikistan's neighbors and Russia limit border access to slow down virus transmission, the country's economic and food security are threatened. This panel will explore the effects and outlook of the pandemic on the political, economic, human, and food security in Tajikistan as it heads towards a presidential election later this year.
