TASHKENT, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has instructed the government to resume air and railway links between the capital and the regions, the press service of the president said Wednesday.

Uzbekistan will continue to soften the quarantine requirements, while maintaining strict control over the epidemiological situation, the president said during a government meeting.

Transport, internal affairs and health ministries are instructed to submit proposals to the Republican Commission to ease restrictions and resume internal flights and railway links between the regions, the press service said.

Earlier this month Uzbekistan has introduced red, yellow and green zones in the country depending on the sanitary and epidemiological situation of COVID-19.

Uzbekistan has registered 2,596 confirmed COVID-19 cases so far and has resumed airlifting its citizens from abroad this week.