Kyrgyzstan: State of emergency declared in Bishek, Osh, and Jalal-Abad due to COVID-19 March 25 /update 6

Event

Kyrgyzstan declared a state of emergency in the cities of Bishek, Osh, and Jalal-Abad, including the Nookat and Kara-Suu districts in Osh, and the Suzak district in Jalal-Abad, due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The state of emergency will be in effect from 08:00 (local time), Wednesday, March 25, until 08:00, Wednesday, April 15.

Previously on Sunday, March 22, Kyrgyzstan's Prime Minister announced an "emergency situation" in the country for one month from March 22. The state of emergency will allow the government to use stricter measures such as limiting entry and exit of citizens, prohibiting of rallies and demonstrations, as well as implementing mandatory quarantine measures and curfews.

Meanwhile, an entry ban on all foreign travelers remains in place since Tuesday, March 17. Nightclubs and movie theatres have also been closed since Monday, March 18, as a precautionary measure.

To date, Krygyzstan has at least 16 confirmed cases of COVID-19 nationwide. Further spread of the virus is to be expected in 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 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.