Kazakhstan: Authorities ease some COVID-19-related domestic restrictions as of Oct. 20 /update 48

Event

Authorities in Kazakhstan are continuing to gradually ease certain domestic COVID-19 restrictions. As of Oct. 20, nightclubs are allowed to reopen and fully vaccinated individuals may visit nursing homes.

The government continues to use a color-coded system to track COVID-19 activity in the country and impose cumulative local restrictions accordingly. Regions are classified as one of three zones - green, yellow, or red - in order of increasing risk of transmission.

The Aktobe, Turkestan, Zhambyl, Mangistau, Atyrau, Kyzylorda regions are classified as green zones. The following measures remain in place in these locations:

• 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.

Almaty (excluding Almaty city), Kostanay, Karaganda, West Kazakhstan, East Kazakhstan regions are classified as yellow zones. Some additional measures are typically enforced in yellow zones:

• Public transport operates from 06:00-23:00 Monday-Saturday and is suspended on Sundays.

• Catering establishments may only operate from 07:00-23:00.

• Shopping centers must close at 17:00 on weekends.

Nur-Sultan, Almaty (city only), Akmola, North Kazakhstan, and Pavlodar regions are classified as red zones. Additional restrictions in red zones include the following:

• 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 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.

Nationwide, authorities require residents to obtain a government-provided QR code via the Ashyq mobile application to visit government offices and certain public spaces, including leisure facilities, cultural venues, and entertainment establishments. Ashyq codes are also required to gain entry to international airports in Almaty and Nur-Sultan. 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 from a COVID-19 PCR test.

International Travel Restrictions
Visa-free travel remains suspended. 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 (U.A.E.), and Uzbekistan, though capacity is likely to be limited.

International arrivals must provide a vaccination certificate or evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before entry into Kazakhstan. This restriction does not apply to diplomats, aircrew, train crews, ship crews, and cross-border workers; however, freight truck drivers must provide a negative test. Returning Kazakh nationals who do not produce a negative test or vaccine certificate upon arrival will be tested and placed in quarantine for at least three days. All 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

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.