Kazakhstan: Authorities amend list of regions based on epidemiological risk March 22 /update 35

Event

Kazakhstan has amended the list of regions under strict quarantine regimes due to high COVID-19 activity March 22. Authorities use a color-coded system to track disease activity in each region and impose local restrictions accordingly. Under the system, regions are classified as one of three zones - green, yellow, or red in order of increasing risk of transmission. As of March 22, the cities of Nur-Sultan and Almaty, as well as the region of West Kazakhstan, are in the red zone.

Restrictive measures that apply in the red zone include the following:

Sanitary checkpoints are in place on roads approaching settlements where the daily incidence of COVID-19 exceeds 10 new infections per day.
Public transport is suspended on weekends and public holidays.
No standing passengers are allowed on public transport.
Freight transporters may not enter these regions without evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the preceding 72 hours; transporters who fail to produce such evidence will be placed in a quarantine facility for at least two days.
Operating hours have been reduced and capacity restricted at restaurants, cafes, theaters, cinemas, shopping malls, and leisure facilities.
Places of worship and cultural venues are not permitted to open.

Areas in the yellow zone include the regions of Akmola, Aktobe, Almaty, Atyrau, and Karaganda. Authorities previously eased restrictions that apply in the yellow zone. As of March 1, certain additional facilities and establishments will be allowed to resume operation in regions that have been classed as green or yellow zones for seven consecutive days.

In yellow zone regions that meet the seven-day criteria, large retail stores, shopping centers, and trading houses will be allowed to open; covered markets may operate on weekends.

The following measures remain in force in yellow zones:

Persons over the age of 65 are prohibited from visiting libraries, theaters, and museums.
Public events, sporting events, weddings, and mass rallies are banned.
Public transport operates 06:00-23:00 on weekdays and is suspended on Sundays.
Catering establishments may only operate 23:00-07:00.
Shopping centers must close at 17:00 on Saturdays and are not permitted to operate on Sundays.

The nation's remaining regions are classified as green zones. Sports facilities, entertainment venues, and houses of worship may resume operation, albeit at no more than 30 percent capacity, in green zones that meet the seven-day threshold. The following measures will also remain in place in these locations:

Public transportation and nonessential businesses are operating, including shopping centers, retailers, covered markets, salons, and restaurants; all establishments must operate at reduced capacity, enforce social distancing, and provide hand sanitizer.
Residents may exercise in groups of no more than five people.
Public events, including weddings, may not exceed 10 participants.
Recreational and cultural facilities, such as cinemas, nightclubs, and bowling alleys, may not operate on weekends.
Authorities recommend that establishments allow employees to work from home.
Residents must wear protective facemasks and practice social distancing at all times while in public.
Additionally, persons over 65 years of age are not permitted to leave their accommodations except in an emergency.

Additionally, Kazakh authorities now require residents to obtain a government-provided QR code via the Ashyq mobile application in order to visit government offices and certain public spaces, including leisure facilities, cultural venues, and entertainment establishments. Residents will have their app scanned at each establishment; each QR code scan will reveal a resident's color-coded risk rating:

Red - movement restricted to self-isolation regime
Yellow - movement partially restricted; essential trips to nearest pharmacy and grocery store permitted
Blue - no specific restrictions
Green - no specific restrictions and the user has a negative result in a COVID-19 PCR test

International travel restrictions are still in effect; visa-free travel remains suspended until May 1. Authorities have also suspended 72-hour visa-free stays for Chinese and Indian nationals. However, flights with several countries have resumed, including Belarus, Egypt, Germany, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, the Netherlands, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Uzbekistan, though capacity is likely to be limited.

Most incoming travelers, including Kazakh nationals, must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before their arrival in Kazakhstan. This restriction does not apply to diplomats, aircrews, train crews, ship crews, and cross-border workers; however, freight truck drivers must now provide a negative test. Returning Kazakh nationals who do not produce a negative test upon arrival will be tested and placed in quarantine for at least two days; symptomatic individuals will be hospitalized, while asymptomatic individuals must self-isolate for a further 12 days.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Check access requirements if traveling to major cities, minimize movement within any quarantined zones; allow additional time for travel. Reconfirm all flights and business appointments. Follow all official directives. Abide by national health and safety measures. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Prepare for freight delivery disruptions. Consider delaying or detouring goods. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation.