Will Kazakhstan announce countrywide mask mandate
Healthcare Minister Azhar Giniyat revealed whether Kazakhstan will bring back countrywide mask mandate as the epidemiological situation in the country remains unstable, Kazinform News Agency reports.
While addressing the Government’s meeting on Tuesday, Minister Giniyat said that face masks are recommended during the October-May period to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, for instance, acute respiratory virus infections. However, she stressed that wearing mask is obligatory only at healthcare facilities.
As for the situation with the coronavirus infection, the minister said the new cases are reported every month, mostly among elderly people or those with chronic illnesses.
Azhar Giniyat added that some 350,000 people had been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Kazakhstan last year.