Kazakhstan’s third most populous city reportedly quarantined over coronavirus outbreak

Shymkent Mayor Murat Aitenov has reportedly noted in his video message that this is a ban on the exit and entry of any vehicles, “with the exception of transit ones and those providing the daily life of the city.”   

Besides, the face mask regime has been introduced in the city. All citizens are required to use face masks, the mayor added.    

Two COVID-19 cases have reputedly been detected in Shymkent so far.

Recall, Kazakhstan's President Kassym Jomart Tokayev on March 15 signed a decree introducing an emergency state in Kazakhstan due to coronavirus outbreak, which came in force from 08:00 am on March 16 and will last till 08:00 am on April 15, 2020.

On March 17, Kazakh authorities imposed a quarantine on the capital, Nur-Sultan, and largest city, Almaty, after the number of people infected with coronavirus in the country more than doubled overnight to 33.

As of March 31, Kazakh authorities have confirmed 325 coronavirus cases in the country, including 175 cases in Nur-Sultan, 82 cases in Almaty, 13 cases in Atyrau region, 10 cases in Akmola region, 13 cases in Karaganda region, 8 cases each in Almaty and Kizilorda regions, five cases each in Jambyl and Aktobe regions, two cases each in Shymkent, East Kazakhstan, West Kazakhstan and North Kazakhstan regions, and one case each in Pavlodar and Mangistau regions, according to Interfax-Ukraine..