Experts believe that the rise in cases is linked to virus mutations and variants. Recently, Mayor of Almaty city Bakytzhan Sagintayev said that the COVID-19 is now spreading much faster than last summer. Since the beginning of the year alone, the city has already registered nearly 15,000 confirmed cases, whereas there were a total of 18,000 cases reported for the entire 2020. However, there are no plans to shut the city down, Sagintayev stated.
Earlier, the Almaty city has extended strict quarantine measures. The work of cinemas, education centers, all non-food markets and shopping centers was completely banned. Cafes and restaurants work for delivery only. Public skating in the Medeu Skating Rink is not allowed. The Shymbulak Ski Resort does not welcome visitors too. If the epidemiological situation in relation to COVID-19 stabilizes within two weeks, then some restrictions might be lifted.
