Kyrgyzstan shuts cities down following Kazakhstan's example

Today in Bishkek, as well as in Osh and Jalal-Abad regions, a state of emergency is being introduced. The relevant decrees were signed by the President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbai Jeenbekov. Experts believe that the Kyrgyz authorities too late tightened measures to combat the spread of coronovirus infection. Kazakhstan introduced a state of emergency a week ago, which made it possible to localize the main cities where cases of infection were noted and prevent the virus from spreading to other regions on a large scale. Moreover, the difference in the approaches of Nur-Sultan and Bishkek is significant.

Reported cases of infection of the inhabitants of Kazakhstan with a coronavirus in the Alma-Ata, Karaganda and Aktobe regions are associated with citizens who have arrived from abroad. “The number of infected people, although growing, is not so fast and not as large as in some other countries. All this is due to tough and decisive operational measures. The way the central and regional authorities were able to mobilize the necessary resources and deploy the work of all services, shows that the state is able to act in large-scale crisis situations. In the current situation, this is a very important factor. As the analysis of efforts and measures in different countries shows, it’s from organizational and mobilization x ability of states and governments, above all, it depends on the effectiveness of the fight against the epidemic, "- wrote on his Facebook page in the Kazakh political scientist Yerlan Karin.

According to the expert, in general, the situation, although not simple, is under control. As President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev noted, one cannot be complacent - "one must be prepared for any, and not the most favorable, even for the worst options for the development of the situation. One must be prepared for everything."

"Kazakhstan was one of the first countries in the post-Soviet space to introduce a state of emergency and quarantine measures in Nur-Sultan and Alma-Ata. Neighboring countries followed suit. Our country's leadership has shown that the unconditional and unconditional priority for it is the health and safety of every citizen of the country "," Zhanara Tulindinova, an expert at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, told Vestnik Kavkaza.

On the eve of Tokaev announced a new package of anti-crisis measures to support citizens, small and medium-sized businesses, as well as those who are at the forefront of the pandemic - doctors, police and other specialists. The total amount of allocated funds, not including tax preferences and support at the local level, will amount to 4.4 trillion tenge (10 billion dollars).

“Priority in the package of anti-crisis measures is given to support of the population, especially socially vulnerable groups. For the period of emergency, the payment of the main debt and interest on all loans of the population, small and medium-sized businesses has been suspended; citizens temporarily left without sources of income will receive monthly payments in the amount of 42.5 thousand tenge - at least 1.5 million Kazakhstanis will be covered by this measure; free food and household packages will be issued to large families, disabled people and other socially vulnerable groups; state regulation will be introduced prices for socially significant goods in order to prevent speculation. An order has been given to involve young people in ongoing flood control, spring field, construction and other works. Specialists involved in large-scale anti-epidemiological measures will be awarded. Thus, the leadership of our country has once again demonstrated its adherence to the concept of a “hearing”, socially oriented state, where the well-being and social well-being of every citizen are paramount, ”said Zhana RA Tulindinova.

The authorities of neighboring Kyrgyzstan also adopted an anti-crisis package of measures that defined the rights and obligations of citizens. For example, in territories where the state of emergency will operate, curfews and special regimes of entry and exit of citizens are introduced. Some citizens are prohibited from leaving their home (apartment) or place where they are being observed or treated for a specified period. Units of the Armed Forces and internal affairs bodies will be involved in the protection of public order, strategic facilities and facilities ensuring the vital activity of the population. Able-bodied citizens can be brought in to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection with the mandatory observance of labor protection requirements and their health.

For the time of the emergency, it is forbidden to conduct spectacular, sports and other public events, as well as strikes, meetings, rallies, street processions, demonstrations and pickets. Violators of public order, who are not residents of the area where the state of emergency was introduced, including foreigners, will be expelled at their expense to the place of their permanent residence or outside the area.

During an emergency, it is forbidden to dismiss workers and employees on their own, except for cases of dismissal for good reason. In areas where emergencies are in effect, quarantine and other mandatory sanitary and anti-epidemic measures may be introduced. In addition, control over the media is introduced if they can be used to escalate the prevailing situation in the territory where the emergency is declared. Special rules for using communications are introduced. The movement of vehicles, including foreign ones, is restricted and their inspection is carried out, with the exception of the transport of diplomatic services.

And not a word about the support of small and medium-sized businesses, low-income families or any other help for Kyrgyz citizens was made.