TASHKENT (Gazeta.uz) – Uzbekistan will beef up security nationwide ahead of the March 21 Nowruz holiday, police Col. Kobilzhnon Nakibov declared.

Law enforcement officials will work to prevent fires, emergency situations and threats to public security, he said. Security personnel are co-operating closely with local governments, businesses and schools. They plan to hold discussions on proper behaviour in emergencies, including fires. They also plan discussions at neighbourhood associations – mahallas – to ensure public safety, Nabikov added.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will have nationwide volunteer workdays the weekend of March 16-17 as Nowruz approaches. Volunteers will clean up public grounds, plant trees and flowers and perform other activities.

Uzbekistan has a volunteer work weekend every year just before Nowruz.