Kazakhstan: Authorities impose further COVID-19 restrictions June 18 /update 19

Event

On Thursday, June 18, the government of Kazakhstan announced plans to tighten restrictions in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) due to a worsening of the outbreak in the country. Shopping malls, indoor markets, beaches, gyms, squares, and parks in major cities will be closed on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21. People over the age of 65 will be restricted from leaving their homes for non-essential purposes. Additional hospital beds are also being made available for COVID-19 patients. The government also ordered provincial authorities across the country to increase their testing programs. The tightening of restrictions comes after nine COVID-19 deaths were reported on Wednesday, June 17, the highest daily figure in the outbreak in Kazakhstan to date. It was also announced on Thursday that former president Nursultan Nazarbayev had tested positive for COVID-19.

The government introduced lockdown measures in a number of towns and villages across Karaganda region on June 11, due to an increase in cases of COVID-19. As of Saturday, June 13, shops and public transport are required to operate on shortened hours and private transport will be prohibited from traveling during the evening (local time). Up to 70 percent of public sector employees are required to work from home.

Kazakhstan's flag carrier Air Astana resumed flights from Almaty and Nur-Sultan to principal regional centers across the country after the national state of emergency expired on May 11. Domestic flights had been suspended since March 22. A spokesperson for the airline stated that passengers would have to provide a negative COVID-19 test before flying. Further domestic flight services are to resume as local airports begin to reopen.

As of June 18, health authorities have recorded 15,877 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kazakhstan, including 100 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.