President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made a statement on extension of the state of emergency in the country. The text of which reads as follows:“Since March 16, our country has been living in the state of emergency.This time was difficult for many citizens. Some lost their income, some lost the job, some had to change their life plans. I sympathize with everyone.
I had to make such a difficult but necessary decision in order to prevent the spread of the dangerous virus in Kazakhstan.It has largely succeeded. The World Health Organization and international experts approved of Kazakhstan's actions.Of course, the situation in different parts of the country is not the same. We act on the specific situation. Our main task is to save the life and health of the citizens. We also take measures to preserve the incomes of the population and ensure social and economic stability.Once again, I want to assure you - in these difficult conditions, the state will not leave anyone in trouble.During the state of emergency, I announced two packages of support measures. They are under implementation, although not without administrative blunders that cause fair public criticism.
4 million 250 thousand people received financial assistance. More than 570 thousand received food packages. We plan to provide staples to more than 1.1 million Kazakhstanis.
Funds are allocated from the Birgemiz Foundation, created on the initiative of the First President. Nur Otan party is at active work.In April-May, more than 1.6 million people will receive state assistance to pay for utilities.The availability and quality of food staples are monitored on an ongoing basis. There are enough necessary products in the country.Local authorities control the prices of socially significant products.
We are trying to financially support our physicians, who are at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic. The Ministry of Health and provincial administrators are taking measures to support other categories of medical workers.More than 1.6 million citizens and 11.5 thousand SMEs received a deferral on loan payments and loans totaling more than 360 billion tenge.Small and medium-sized businesses today are in a difficult position. If we do not help them survive today, restoring the country's economy is out of the question.
Tax incentive measures covered more than 700 thousand companies and individual entrepreneurs, which will help them to save about 1 trillion tenge. Funds have been allocated for lending to small and medium-sized businesses at affordable rates.In order to avoid layoffs and salary cuts, a Roster of system-forming companies is being formed, which will receive appropriate support. It should include really important companies for our economy.
Despite all the difficulties, farmers continue to work. Their work deserves sincere respect.There should be no obstacles in conducting spring field work. This is the task of the Ministry of Agriculture and provincial administrators.200 billion tenge was allocated for financing spring field work and forward purchase, including 70 billion for the development of seed production, purchase of fertilizers and pesticides.
In general, the funds aimed at supporting citizens and business amount to almost 6 trillion tenge. This, as you know, is a huge amount. The task of the Government and regulatory bodies is to ensure absolute effectiveness of the funds spending, transparency of the entire financing process.It is impossible to rest on the achieved results. The situation is still extremely serious.The coronavirus continues to attack the whole world. The number of cases is approaching 3 million people, and this figure will increase. A second wave of pandemic is expected.
The peak incidence in Kazakhstan has not been entirely completed. There is still a threat of the situation getting out of control.Unfortunately, in some regions, primarily in Almaty, a large number of doctors and medical workers were infected with coronavirus.Measures are being taken to ensure the safety of medical personnel. It is necessary to carefully analyze the reasons, determine responsibility of officials, and prevent a recurrence of such a situation.Without further precautions, other foci of infection may break out. In case of simultaneous removal of quarantine measures, we will face a new wave of incidence.
The danger of the disease cannot be underestimated. The coronavirus is highly contagious and poses a serious threat to human health. This is recognized by almost the whole world.
To say otherwise is to go against common sense or to pursue evil intent. Given the current situation in our country and the proposal by the State Commission and experts, I decided to sign an order on the extension of the state of emergency until May 11 of this year.
This decision is dictated by the current complex reality.In accordance with the law, the state of emergency will be completed on May 11, unless, of course, a new massive outbreak of the epidemic occurs. I hope this does not happen.
Our common task is to prevent a negative scenario in Kazakhstan.At the same time, the State Commission is ready to go as far as relaxing the quarantine regime, primarily in the areas and cities where the situation with the spread of the virus is under control.But at the same time, it is necessary to ensure compliance with all sanitary standards, conduct regular disinfection of workplaces. In everyday life you need to observe the rules of social distance.
The government will render assistance to those who have lost income in the amount of 42,500 tenge for the second month. You do not need to apply again. Payments will be made based on previously submitted documents.All passenger air traffic had to be stopped in the country. But taking into account the relative stabilization of the situation, flights will be open from May 1 between the capital and Almaty.
Shopping and recreation facilities, cinemas, restaurants, parks and other crowded places will be closed for visiting. Distance learning will continue in universities, colleges, and schools.Warm weather and quarantine fatigue should not cause irresponsibility. Violations of the quarantine regime can multiply the number of coronavirus victims.
There is no vaccine for coronavirus yet. Only strict observance of quarantine measures saves thousands of people from the dangerous virus. I ask you not to leave your homes without special need. The Ministry of Health is faced with the task of increasing the volume of testing to at least 20-25 thousand per day, which corresponds to leading international standards.By May 11, the Government and the National Bank will prepare a Comprehensive Plan for restoring economic growth, including support for the most affected sectors.
Our country is entering a qualitatively new phase of its development. In fact, we will live in a new reality. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a large-scale, in-depth transformation of the economy and public administration. Kazakhstan is absolutely open to the international community; we publish all the data, no matter how grim it might be.”
Reported by the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda.
In the statement on extension of the state of emergency, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that the peak incidence of COVID-19 in Kazakhstan has not been entirely completed, Kazpravda.kz refers to the Akorda press service reporting.
"The coronavirus continues to attack the whole world. The number of cases is approaching 3 million people, and this figure will increase. The second wave of a pandemic is expected. The peak of incidence in Kazakhstan is not completely overcome. There is still a threat of the situation getting out of control. Unfortunately, in some regions, primarily in Almaty, a large number of doctors and medical workers were infected with coronavirus. Measures are being taken to ensure the safety of medical personnel. The reasons should be carefully analyzed to prevent recurrence of such a situation, "the President said, adding that other foci of infection may break out without further precautions.
"In the event of simultaneous removal of quarantine measures, we will face a new wave of incidence. The danger of the disease cannot be minimized. Coronavirus is highly infectious and poses a serious threat to human health. The world recognizes it. To say the opposite is to go against common sense or pursue evil intent," the President concluded.
