Kazakhstan: Authorities increase COVID-19 measures in Almaty October 15 /update 24

Event

Kazakh authorities increased coronavirus disease (COVID-19) measures in the city of Almaty on Thursday, October 15, following an uptick in cases in the city. Gatherings of more than 10 people are banned, and hospitality services may only open between 07:00 and 23:00 (local time). Public transportation will cease after 23:00.

The wearing of face masks is mandatory nationwide in all public spaces, including inside vehicles. Local lockdowns are in place throughout the country. Most travelers are restricted from entering Kazakhstan although some exceptions are in place, a list of which can be found here. Travel options for entering these countries are limited.

As of October 15, there have been 109,202 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kazakhstan, with 1768 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

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). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

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

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

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: