COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Kazakhstan (2 December Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No with exceptions

• Most foreign nationals are not allowed to enter. However, diplomats, direct-family members of Kazakhstani citizens, residency permit holders, some employees of designated companies in critical industries, and citizens of those countries with which Kazakhstan has resumed direct flights may enter.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes

• International transit passengers do not require a COVID-19 RT-PCR test if they do not leave the transit zone. If a passenger crosses the border into the Republic of Kazakhstan, a negative certificate is required.

• Passengers below the age of 5 do not need to take the COVID-19 test.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No

• Travellers are subject to medical screening upon arrival, however, not necessarily a COVID-19 test.

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes

• Kazakhstan officials accept test results issued outside of the country.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• Foreign travellers arriving in Kazakhstan must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within 72 hours before their arrival.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• Travellers entering Kazakhstan who test positive for coronavirus are currently required to self-isolate for 14 days. Those needing medical assistance may be confined in state facilities.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• A questionnaire must be completed upon arrival.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• Anyone in self-isolation may be required to download the Smart Astana app, which will be used to monitor compliance with quarantine restrictions.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• International and domestic flights are operating on a limited basis.

• Air Astana resumed flights from Nur-Sultana, Almaty, Atyrau, Dubai, Seoul, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Kyiv, Antalya, Istanbul, Tashkent, Bishkek, and Moscow.

• Kazakhstan has resumed repatriation flight operations for its citizens to Belarus, Egypt, Russia, Germany, UAE, the Netherlands, and Ukraine.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Borders are closed, with exceptions. Travellers who are allowed to enter include direct family members of Kazakhstan citizens, diplomats, residency permit holders, employees of some designated critical industries, and citizens of these countries with which Kazakhstan has direct flights.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• There is no national curfew in place.

• The government has tightened COVID-19 restrictions in the Pavlodar region from 9 November.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Interstate and intercity travel may be limited to East Kazakhstan, North Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, and Akmola (for overnight travel more than 100 kilometres away from Nur-Sultan). Specific approval is required.

• Authorities in Kazakhstan may tighten the internal border restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Social distancing restrictions

• Minimal

• Social distancing measures are required in indoor and outdoor public places.

• Individuals 65 years and older should not leave their residence.

• Regional and local governments may restrict openings of businesses depending on the COVID-19 situation in their area.

Non-essential business open?

• Yes

• Most shops are open, including grocery stores, outdoor markets, and pharmacies.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Some hotels are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants close at 22:00 on weekdays and weekends.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Cafes and bars close at 22:00 on weekdays and weekends.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Cultural facilities, museums, exhibits, and entertainment centres are open.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Gyms and fitness centres are open.

• Banyas and pools will operate from 09:00 to 19:00 on weekends and 08:00 to 21:00 on weekdays.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Places of worship and churches are open but with limited entry. Religious sites and cultural facilities are allowed to operate.

Events allowed?

• No

• Large events and family gatherings are strictly prohibited. Gatherings are limited to a maximum of three people on streets, squares, and parks.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Masks are mandatory in public.

Other

• Individual and group outdoor fitness activity is permitted. People can walk in parks and other public spaces in groups of three or less. Sports are allowed.

Tanácsadás

The COVID-19 epidemic is changing constantly worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.