Kazakhstan is among the poorest countries of the former Soviet Union. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the country's economic difficulties. After Kazakhstan officially reported its first COVID-19 case on March 13, 2020, events unfolded rapidly. A state of emergency was declared on March 16 and finally lifted on May 11. While some quarantine measures remained in place in many areas even after the state of emergency ended, most restrictions were eased. Due to a significant increase in infection rates, strict nationwide quarantine rules were reinstated on July 5 for a period of 14 days. These rules were repeatedly extended and remained in effect until mid-August 2020.
As part of our immediate COVID-19 relief efforts, we sent urgently needed medication to Nur-Sultan (formerly Tselonagrad), Kazakhstan, which was then distributed to those affected. The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan responded with a heartfelt letter of thanks .
