Workers in Turkmenistan’s Turkmenabat assigned to baffling midnight cleaning sprees

Workers in Turkmenistan’s Turkmenabat assigned to baffling midnight cleaning sprees
Bristle while you work. / Zoriah Miller for Dollar Street, CC Attrib 4.0 lic
By bne IntelIiNews January 14, 2021

Workers and inhabitants of Turkmenistan’s city of Turkmenabat are being forced to take part in midnight cleaning sprees in the cold, Hronikatm reported on January 14.

Locals, attempting to avoid close social contact amid the threat of the coronavirus (COVID-19), are said to be baffled by the situation. While officials round up stray dogs, women and men are seen brushing pavements across the city in the dark.

The coerced “Night Cleaning Brigades” work amid fires lit on sidewalks, with dozens huddling to keep warm.

Usually, decreed midnight cleaning in a provincial city is an indication of an imminent visit by Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. He is known for inspecting the appearance of city streets and buildings and often critiques the poor state of foliage. 

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