Restriction Level of COVID-19 to Escalate Beginning December 25th
In early 2021, Kazakhstan, the most prosperous state in Central Asia, was actively managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Although specific details about actions taken by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan during that period are not extensively documented, it is known that Kazakhstan implemented various public health strategies consistent with global practices.
Typically, in early 2021, Kazakhstan enforced measures such as quarantine and isolation protocols for confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases. Social distancing guidelines and limits on public gatherings were also implemented, along with mask mandates in public spaces. Travel restrictions and border controls were established to limit virus importation, while hygiene measures and awareness campaigns were promoted. The government also initiated vaccine acquisition and early planning for vaccination rollout.
The Prime Minister, Askar Mamin, chaired a videoconference of the Interdepartmental Commission (IDC) to oversee these government policies and coordinate with health authorities. The government likely addressed migrant worker-related risks, enforcing relevant controls in immigration and transit to prevent outbreaks in these populations.
From the second semester, combined education for first-year college and university students resumed. From the third quarter, individual consultations were organized during non-class hours in groups of no more than 5 students. Graduating classes adopted a combined education format, with 70% traditional and 30% online education, adhering to sanitary and epidemiological requirements.
Enhanced quarantine measures were introduced at the Tengiz field, and five regions in Kazakhstan were in zones of increased and moderate risk: Atyrau, Kostanay, Pavlodar, North Kazakhstan, and Akmola regions. The occupancy rate of intensive care beds in Kazakhstan was 20%, and the occupancy rate of infectious beds was 28%. The daily increase in new COVID-19 cases was 0.4%, and the reproduction rate of COVID-19 was 0.9.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs, together with the governors, was responsible for ensuring that sanitary and epidemiological requirements were met during the pre-holiday and holiday period. The ban on mass events, including New Year's parties and corporate events, was in effect from December 25, 2020, to January 5, 2021.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of quality sanitation of public places, schools, and kindergartens, and the preparation of vaccination points. The price of anti-COVID drugs in retail was reduced by an average of 24%. The source of this information is Almaty.tv, citing primeminister.kz.
In summary, Kazakhstan’s early 2021 COVID-19 response likely included standard pandemic control measures under government leadership, with the Prime Minister playing a coordinating and enforcement role consistent with global trends during that phase of the pandemic. For exact statements or policy announcements by Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister in this period, further targeted searches in official government releases or historical archives would be required.
