Kyrgyzstan: Authorities to ease COVID-19 restrictions from May 11 /update 11

Event

Kyrgyzstan's government has announced that the restrictions that were imposed due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic will be gradually eased from Monday, May 11. Curfew restrictions will be lifted and certain businesses will be allowed to reopen from Monday. The businesses that will be given permission to resume operations include certain shops selling nonessential goods, lawyers' offices, agencies for property and tourism, as well as maintenance, financial, and cleaning services. Authorities will reportedly maintain certain existing lockdown measures, such as a prohibition on interprovincial travel.

On Friday, May 8, President Sooronbay Jeenbekov extended the nationwide state of emergency indefinitely. The state of emergency was originally introduced on Sunday, March 22.

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

As of Sunday, May 10, authorities have confirmed 1002 cases of COVID-19 in the country and 12 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

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 COVID-19 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.