Update to State Department Travel Advisory for Kazakhstan

Update to State Department Travel Advisory for Kazakhstan

The following media note was published by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs on Jan. 7. It is reproduced in full below.

On January 7, 2022, the Department approved the voluntary departure of Consulate General Almaty non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members of all Consulate General Almaty U.S. government employees.

Demonstrations, protests, and strikes may occur. These events can develop quickly and without prior notification, often interrupting traffic, transportation, communication, and other services; such events have the potential to turn violent. U.S. citizens in Kazakhstan should be aware that violent protests may severely impact the U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide consular services, including assistance to U.S. citizens departing Kazakhstan. The nationwide unrest that began Jan. 2, 2022, caused widespread destruction of infrastructure and government buildings in Almaty and resulted in the detention, injury, and/or death of significant numbers of protesters and security forces.

Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not issued a Travel Health Notice for Kazakhstan due to COVID-19, indicating an unknown level of COVID-19 in the country. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine. Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.

Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 and related restrictions and conditions in Kazakhstan.

Read the country information page.

If you decide to travel to Kazakhstan:

* See the S. Embassy’s webpage regarding COVID-19.

* Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19.

* Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

* Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.

* Review theCrime and Safety Report for Kazakhstan.

* Have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs

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