GENERAL INFORMATION
Since March 16, the Republic of Kazakhstan has a state of emergency, it will last until April 15. Its forbidden for the citizens of the Republic to leave the country during the specified period, the protection of public defense and especially important state and strategic facilities has been strengthened. In addition, shopping centers, cinemas and exhibitions are closed. Any mass events were banned.
Under the state of emergency, the Head of State K. Tokaev decided to introduce a wide range of anti-crisis measures to support citizens of the country, small and medium-sized businesses. The total amount of allocated funds, excluding tax preferences and support at the regional level, will be 10 billion dollars. For the duration of the state of emergency in the country, citizens of Kazakhstan who have lost their income will receive monthly payments in the amount of one minimum wage. This measure will affect at least 1.5 million citizens of Kazakhstan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh leader Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev discussed the preventive measures of the COVID-19 spread. It was agreed to cooperate in the fight against the pandemic, to coordinate closely in solving the problems that the citizens of both states face in connection with the restrictive measures introduced.
According to Minister of Health Yelzhan Birtanov Kazakhstan is in a unique situation taking an advantage of the experience of other countries which have managed to stop the spread of COVID-19. He also said that he is constantly in contact with WHO and with ministries of other countries, which allows him to receive support and recommendations.
TOURISM
In connection with the ban on leaving the country during a state of emergency, the national airline Air Astana offers to the passengers:
1. Rebooking to other dates (once) without a fee for rebooking (minus or with reimbursement of the difference in the cost of new tickets, if applicable);
2. Rebooking to other Air Astana routes (once) without a rebooking fee (minus or with reimbursement of the difference in the cost of new air tickets, if applicable).
These conditions apply to departures until the end of December 2020. The date changes should be done before May 31, 2020 and no later than 48 hours before the original departure date.
According to the President’s order, the Chamber of Entrepreneurs jointly with tourism industry representatives worked out an anti-crisis plan.
To support the travel companies, the tickets should be canceled without penalties. The refund of the paid money by the tour operators from foreign suppliers should be done in full.
At the same time, tax breaks should be in effect until the end of the year; it is supposed to reimburse or cancel the rent for offices and establish a moratorium on payment delay of current bank loans of tourist industry representatives.
“As a rule, the tourism industry recovers faster than others, so it is able to regain some positions - said Kairat Sadvakasov, Deputy Chairman of Kazakh Tourism company. —As long as the borders of Kazakhstan were not closed, people continued to travel for leisure, which again shows the elasticity of the industry. Accordingly, we hope for its speedy restoration.”
