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HEALTH-VIRUS-KAZAKHSTAN-UZBEKISTAN
Kazakhstan declares state of emergency over coronavirus
NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan, March 15, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – The president of
Kazakhstan on Sunday declared a nationwide state of emergency to stem the
spread of new coronavirus infections, further limiting travel and commerce.
The Central Asian country, which currently has only eight cases of COVID-
19, will abide to new measures starting Monday for one month, according to a
decree published on the website of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The state of emergency expands on measures announced Thursday to ban public
events, also introducing “limits on functioning of large retail centres” and
“limits” on entry and exit from the country, without explaining who would be
banned from crossing the border.
All entertainment centres, including cinemas theatres and exhibits would be
closed, it said.
The decree also unlocked funds from a government reserve to provide for the
state of emergency, and tasked the government with “increasing control” over
people who may be dodging quarantine or medical treatment.
A World Trade Organization conference scheduled in Kazakhstan in June is
also unlikely but the official decision is yet to be made at a general
council meeting.
Neighbouring Uzbekistan, which registered its first case Sunday, announced
it is closing its borders to all transport.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1753 hrs