As a result of the spread of coronavirus, many countries have begun to take precautionary measures. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Mongolia and Malaysia closed their borders with China to prevent an outbreak in their countries. A number of countries, including Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Russia, the Czech Republic and others have also introduced visa restrictions for Chinese citizens. 

“With regard to the closure of the border, the adoption of measures on this issue is not the responsibility of our ministry. However, in my opinion, we must take precautions, although as of January 30, in our country, not a single case of this infection has been detected. Personally, I am a supporter of not only the restrictions on our citizens’ departure to China, but also the temporary restriction on the entry of Chinese and other foreign citizens from the PRC to our country,” the minister said. 

Shadmanov noted that the virus is transmitted by airborne droplets from person to person, and the incubation period can be up to 14 days, which sharply increases the risk of the spread of coronavirus.

In addition, the spread of this disease even in the USA and a number of European and Asian countries with developed medicine indicates the seriousness of the situation, he added.

According to the minister, as part of the fight against coronavirus, a clear control of arriving citizens is carried out not only from China, but also from other countries. Border checkpoints are equipped with thermal imagers (devices for monitoring the body temperature of passengers). Serious control is being carried out on products that may be carriers of the virus. 

“Arriving people from regions, where the virus is detected and those who have any signs of the disease, are subject to special monitoring. We have prepared special places in infectious diseases hospitals in the regions and created a reserve of necessary medicines,” Shadmanov said.