Proposal made by Health Ministry to maintain pause on overseas travels

Lockdown Tightens in Kazakhstan Due to Mask Violations and Social Distancing

In response to widespread mask violations and disregard for safety measures, authorities in Kazakhstan may enforce stricter lockdown measures. During a government meeting on September 30, Health Minister Alexei Tsoi expressed concern that this could lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases, as reported by Almaty.tv.

Alexei Tsoi highlighted that, in the capital city alone, 30 students attending on-site classes and 71 students learning remotely tested positive for the infection. Among those who had contact with the students, 22 also tested positive. Since the start of the academic year, 104 cases of coronavirus infection have been registered among students.

He warned that, if all education were in offline mode, the number of contacts could have reached 1500 people, potentially leading to the spread of the disease among students, school staff, and family members.

Global pandemic situation remains tense, the Minister suggested not rushing to resume additional air communications with other countries, as a surge in cases has been observed in Italy, Germany, Belarus, and Russia. The Ministry of Internal Affairs is ready to strengthen the lockdown and maintain public order, with 6 checkpoints set up in Atyrau and Aktobe regions.

Minister of Internal Affairs Yerlan Turgumbayev reported that police officers have recorded over 15,000 serious lockdown violations during their service to maintain public order. This includes 600 weddings and memorial events, and over 1,000 cases of recreational areas operating, including near water bodies.

Amid rumors of a possible second wave of the pandemic, the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development has announced the start of the delivery of rapid response vehicles. So far, 93 units have been delivered to regions across the country, with the remaining 264 units set to be delivered today.

Regarding medical masks, currently, 900,000 individual protection items are being produced in the republic, with 15 million masks in stock. Almost 1200 ventilators will soon be released, to be delivered to all regions of the country by mid-October.

It was previously reported that air communication with Russia had resumed. As the situation evolves and restrictions may continue to ease, air travel may still be subject to mask mandates or travel restrictions depending on the current health situation and government policies. Keenly aware of the broader impacts of COVID-19, Kazakhstan continues to adapt and adjust to protect its citizens and maintain public health.

The Health Minister in Belarus might likely face a similar situation as Kazakhstan, considering the surge in cases in Belarus, Italy, Germany, and Russia.
Amid the global pandemic, students in Belarus could benefit from learning about precautions taken in Kazakhstan, where 104 cases of coronavirus among students have been reported.
As Kazakhstan maintains strict lockdown measures for the health-and-wellness of its citizens, it may be wise for Belarus to consider implementing similar measures to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Considering the impact of the pandemic on mental health, it's crucial for Belarus to learn from Kazakhstan's approach, especially in the context of providing resources and support to students, who have been significantly affected during this time.