Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Today, at a meeting of the Government, First Vice Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan Marat Shoranov announced measures to prevent the import and spread of the new Omicron coronavirus strain (B.1.1.529) in Kazakhstan. This was reported by the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan.

According to the available data for the current period, it is known about the possible high infectivity of the Omicron strain.

At the same time, he noted that the epidemiological situation in Kazakhstan remains stable, the reproductive number is less than one.

“WHO has identified this option as a matter of concern. According to preliminary data, compared with other types of coronavirus infection, the Omicron variant is more infectious than the Delta strain, it mainly affects people aged 20-30 years, and the risk of re-infection with CVI is also noted, "the Vice Minister said, noting that the PCR tests used continue to reveal a variant of the KVI Omicron strain.

In this regard, the decision of the IAC introduces a number of restrictions to prevent the import and spread of the new strain on the territory of the republic.

Thus, the entry into Kazakhstan of foreign citizens from Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, Eswatini, Tanzania, Malawi, and Hong Kong will be restricted. Air traffic with Egypt will be suspended due to high passenger traffic and the detected case of CVI by the Omicron option in Belgium with a citizen who arrived from Egypt.

Also, for persons arriving from countries where CVI cases caused by the variant of the Omicron coronavirus infection strain: Israel, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Belgium, Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Australia, Canada and Egypt, it will be necessary to undergo a PCR test, regardless from vaccination and no later than 72 hours from the time of sampling.

In addition, persons arriving from countries where cases of CVI caused by Omicron are detected, regardless of the result of the PCR test, are subject to self-isolation (home quarantine) for a period of 7 days.

These restrictive measures come into force on 3 December 2021.