Kazakhstan: Authorities tighten COVID-19-related domestic measures as of Feb. 5 /update 52

Event

The government of Kazakhstan has reclassified the COVID-19 risk levels of each of the nation's regions resulting in an overall tightening of domestic restrictions aimed at controlling the spread of the virus as of Feb. 5. Under the new risk assessments, 11 of Kazakhstan's regions are now classified as "red" (high risk) zones, with three categorized as "yellow" (moderate risk) zones and two as "green" (low risk) areas. For purposes of comparison, on Jan. 5, none of the countries regions were classified as red zones; Nur-Sultan was classed as yellow with all other regions being categorized as green.

Domestic Measures
Kazakhstan imposes COVID-19-related domestic controls on a regional basis depending on local disease activity. The government uses a color-coded system to track COVID-19 activity and assign local restrictions accordingly. Regions are classified as one of three zones: green, yellow, or red, in order of increasing risk of transmission.

• Green Zones
  In green zones, all establishments must operate at reduced capacity and enforce social distancing. Public events, including weddings, are permitted, subject to capacity limits. Authorities recommend that employees work from home. Residents must wear protective facemasks and practice social distancing while in public. As of Feb. 5, only the Kyzylorda and Turkestan regions are classified as green zones.

• Yellow Zones

  Yellow zones are subject to certain further controls in addition to the same restrictions imposed in green zones. In yellow zones, Public transport operates from 06:00-23:00 Monday-Saturday and is suspended on Sundays. Catering establishments may only operate between the hours of 07:00-23:00, and shopping centers must close at 17:00 on weekends. As of Feb. 5, the Shymkent, Zhambyl, and Mangistau regions are classed as yellow zones.

• Red Zones

  In addition to being subject to the same measures in force in both green and yellow zones, a number of stricter controls are in effect in regions designated as red zones. Health 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. Freight transporters may not enter red zones without evidence of a negative result from a 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. Business operating hours are reduced, and capacity is restricted at restaurants, cafes, theaters, cinemas, shopping malls, and leisure facilities. Local authorities may enact stricter measures, including the total closure of establishments and curfews, should case numbers increase. As of Feb. 5, regions in this category are: Nur Sultan, Almaty, Atyrau, Aktobe, Akmola, East Kazakhstan, West Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Kostanay, Pavlodar, and North Kazakhstan.

Nationwide, authorities require residents to obtain a government-provided quick response (QR) code via the Ashyq mobile application to visit government offices and certain public spaces, including entertainment facilities and cultural venues, among others. Ashyq codes are also required to gain entry to international airports in Almaty and Nur-Sultan. Residents are subject to having their app scanned at each establishment to verify their color-coded risk rating; each risk rating is described below:

• 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; the user has a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test

Under the current directives, individuals must have a green rating from the Ashyq mobile application in order to access several additional nonessential facilities, including shopping and entertainment centers and large catering establishments. The Ashyq mobile application assigns a green rating to individuals who are vaccinated against or have recently recovered from COVID-19, as well as to those who have a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than seven days ago.

International Travel Restrictions
To enter Kazakhstan, international arrivals generally must provide evidence of a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Kazakhstani citizens and permanent residents may alternatively provide evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19. This pre-travel testing requirement does not apply to children under five years of age, Kazakhstani government delegations, and cabin crew.

Nonresident foreign nationals from some locations are prohibited from entering Kazakhstan, including those from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, Eswatini, Tanzania, and Hong Kong. Additionally, travelers arriving from countries that have declared the presence of the Omicron variant within their borders, as well as those who have visited such locations within the past 14 days, must, regardless of vaccination status, self-isolate for seven days on arrival; these countries include Australia, Belgium, the UK, the Czech Republic, Germany, Egypt, Israel, Italy, Canada, and the Netherlands.

International passenger flights have notably resumed between Kazakhstan and several countries, including South Korea, Georgia, Germany, the UAE, Belarus, Turkey, Egypt, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Russia, Poland, Montenegro, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

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

If traveling to major cities, check access requirements, minimize movement within any quarantined zones, and 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. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation.