Kazakhstan’s Authorities to Tighten Quarantine in Almaty

Starting January 15 new restrictions will be imposed in Almaty because of a surge in new COVID-19 cases. The official rule has been signed by the chief sanitary doctor of the city.

Under the new rule, all indoor and outdoor public gatherings and events, including family gatherings at home, are banned. The only exceptions are commemorations for 30 people inside any facility which is a part of the Ashyq project, a mobile app showing whether a visitor is vaccinated or not. 

Also, the new rule prohibits showing up in sport and recreational centers, fitness centers, bathhouses, saunas and swimming pools for those who haven’t been vaccinated or recovered after COVID.

Concert halls, theaters and circuses are not allowed to work as well as mosques, churches, synagogues, etc. None of them can perform any religious meeting during the quarantine. Conferences, forums, workshops and exhibitions of any kind are temporarily forbidden. Night clubs and karaoke bars must be closed as well.

However, small groups of those who have been vaccinated (no more than 10 people) can meet each other; cinema theaters can also work if they use 30% or less of their capacity.

Also, the authorities have ordered all public agencies, national companies and organizations to send at least 70% of their personnel to work from home. 

Moreover, the government asks people to continue wearing masks and maintaining social distance. If a person tests positive or has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, he or she must adhere to a fourteen-day self-quarantine.

Yesterday, health officials in Almaty reported 1,115 new COVID-19 cases.