Kazakhstan will restrict the entry of foreigners from a number of countries due to the omicron strain

From December 3, Kazakhstan will tighten the rules for entering the country for citizens of 10 African countries and Hong Kong amid the emergence of a new strain of coronavirus. This was announced by First Deputy Minister of Health Marat Shoranov, Tengrinews reports.

“Given the emergence of a new variant of the strain of coronavirus infection “omicron”, in order to prevent its importation into the territory of the republic, the interdepartmental commission decided to introduce the following restrictive measures from December 3: to restrict the entry into the Republic of Kazakhstan of foreign citizens from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, Eswatini, Malawi, Tanzania and Hong Kong,” he said.

In addition, the authorities will introduce a mandatory seven-day isolation and the availability of a mandatory PCR test, regardless of vaccination, for citizens of countries where a new strain has already been identified. These countries include Israel, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Australia, Canada and Egypt. Shoranov also proposed to suspend air communication with Egypt.

In turn, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Askar Mamin, said at the meeting that the government supports the proposals of the Ministry of Health to strengthen control at the border, taking into account the appearance of the omicron strain in other countries. “Control of the epidemiological situation within the country should also be constant, continue the practice of wearing masks in buildings and transport, maintaining social distance. It is also necessary to ensure proper vaccination coverage and revaccination,” he said.