TASHKENT

Uzbekistan’s government has paid nearly $1 million to people who took more than 10,000 steps a day since June 10 when the government launched an online platform to register daily walks of citizens to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Under the government resolution, approved in May, citizens aged 18 and over and who walk more than 10,000 steps a day can receive money rewards as part of the wider state programme to encourage people to take part in sport and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

The government has developed a special platform where the public can register and create an electronic wallet to receive around $0.30 dollar for the daily walk and install health apps on their mobile devices to use the service.

According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, from June 10 to September 13, people engaged in the programme have received a total of 9.4 billion Uzbek soums (over $880,000).

Another 206.7 million soums (around $20,000) were received by people who were selected as winners for doing the most walking in their districts or regions.

The state programme on fitness and healthy lifestyle, approved by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s decree last year, also includes provisions such as holding a car-free day and building street workout facilities across the country of 34 million people. It also obliges officials to exercise and compete to set an example.