All travelers to Almaty undergo PCR testing upon arrival.
In Almaty Airport and railway stations, health and safety precautions are relaxed, but vigilance remains high.
These bustling hubs continue to enforce select measures to combat the lingering COVID-19 threat. However, unlike the stringent past, travelers now find a more relaxed atmosphere. All arrivals, foreign and domestic, are no longer forced to present PCR test results for entry, a significant shift from the past[2][1][3].
With over 200 international flights touching down in Almaty Airport each month, sometimes up to 4,000 passengers arrive without a PCR test, classified as potential virus carriers[4]. These individuals are now allowed into the city without delay, as they undergo testing upon arrival and wait for results in quarantine facilities[4]. This loosened policy has resulted in the detection of 34 coronavirus-positive passengers, demonstrating its effectiveness in identifying infected travelers[4].
Nurlan Dogalbaev, head of the city's transport sanitary and epidemiological control department, confirmed: "Foreigners without a PCR test are deported, while Kazakhs are tested and await results in quarantine facilities." Despite this, he emphasized that entering the airport building requires wearing masks, and temperatures are checked[4].
At railway stations, too, the number of trains running has halved compared to the peak of the summer season. Passengers arriving from Ust-Kamenogorsk and Semey – current COVID-19 hotspots – receive special attention[4].
Contrary to earlier reports, public transport operations in Nur-Sultan have not been suspended[4].
Despite these relaxed measures, travelers should be aware that while Kazakhstan, including Almaty, has lifted all COVID-19-related travel restrictions, some visa policies may vary by country[1]. Additionally, the overall trend in Kazakhstan has shown a normalization and easing of pandemic-related public health interventions since the lifting of restrictions, with no significant surge in cases directly attributed to the removal of airport and railway travel restrictions[4].
Science and medical-conditions continue to play a crucial role in shaping travel policies at Almaty Airport and railway stations, even as the overall health-and-wellness landscape has evolved with a more relaxed approach. Although focusing less on fitness-and-exercise and lifestyle factors, travelers should still prioritize wearing masks and maintaining good hygiene to minimize risk. Amid the general-news of a reduced number of trains and a loosened PCR test requirement, it's essential to remain vigilant and stay informed about any travel-related changes, especially considering varying visa policies across different countries.
