Kazakhstan: Air Astana to resume domestic flights on May 11 /update 17

Event

Kazakhstan's flag carrier Air Astana will resume flights from Almaty and Nur-Sultan to principal regional centers across the country once the national state of emergency expires on Monday, May 11. Domestic flights have been suspended since Sunday, March 22, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), although flights between Nur-Sultan and Almaty had resumed on Friday, May 1. Services will resume to Aktobe (Aktobe region) from Tuesday, May 12, and to Kyzylorda (Kyzylorda region) and Oskemen (East Kazakhstan region) from Wednesday, May 13. Further domestic flight services will resume in due course as local airports begin to reopen. A spokesperson for the airline stated that passengers will have to provide a negative COVID-19 test before flying.

Despite the ending of the state of emergency on May 11, lockdown measures remain in place in most major cities. Although restrictions vary in different localities, they generally include the restriction of movement into and out of lockdown zones, the prohibition of residents from leaving their homes except to purchase essential supplies or seek medical assistance, and the closure of public spaces and non-essential businesses. Police and military presence has been increased to enforce these measures. However, authorities are beginning to ease some of the restrictions. On Monday, April 27, President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev announced that certain businesses, including non-food retailers, barbershops, dentists, foreign exchange kiosks, and real estate agencies, were permitted to reopen on Monday, May 4.

As of Sunday, May 10, health authorities have recorded 5076 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kazakhstan, including 31 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is expected over the coming days and weeks.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.