Allowing passage to vaccinated individuals
Unlocking Borders for Vaccinated: An MP's Plea
In a bold move, Albert Rau, an MP, proposed restoring normal border crossings for Kazakhstan citizens vaccinated against COVID-19 during a parliamentary session. This suggestion comes amidst continued border closures and chaotic, inconsistent rules between participating countries, sparking social tension.
"The current situation fuels the shadow market for border-crossing services," Rau asserted. Law enforcement agencies have uncovered fake medical referrals, trucks masquerading as cargo carriers ferrying passengers, and scammers offering quick border crossings in exchange for photos, crossing points, and payments via WhatsApp.
Citizens express confusion as they can fly across borders but face restrictions on other modes of transport for over a year. Rau pointed out that airline tickets for trips from Nur-Sultan to Moscow a month before departure cost anywhere from 250-300 thousand tenge, yet direct flights remain scarce despite inflated prices.
Rau questioned the rationale behind these restrictions, especially given the mass vaccination programs, accredited laboratory networks, safety behavior standards, and IT solutions for tracking passenger status. He suggested these measures should have alleviated many issues. The mobile app "Traveling Without COVID-19," an integrated database for tracking citizens' status, should have streamlined travel. This app is currently operational for citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.
The app's integration into Kazakhstan's system is scheduled for the end of July, coinciding with vacation and school holidays. Rau urged EAEU partners to reconsider their stance on land border crossings for vaccinated citizens and those with a negative PCR test. He also called for expediting Kazakhstan's integration into the "Travel Without Covid-19" system for personal and business travel within the EAEU.
The article, however, does not delve into the specific reasons for the continued closure of EAEU land borders for most Kazakhstanis despite these improvements. It's plausible that certain health or security concerns are still in effect for specific individuals or situations, unaddressed in the available sources.
As of January 11, 2025, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan's citizens enjoyed enhanced travel convenience as an agreement between Russia and Belarus allowed entry and exit via rail, air, and certain road routes, reducing dependency on air travel[1][5]
Kazakhstan's membership in the EAEU has boosted economic integration by eliminating customs declarations and supervision at borders with member states, primarily benefiting trade rather than personal travel[2]
- The MP, Albert Rau, expressed concerns about the ongoing health-and-wellness issues related to the inconsistent border policies for vaccinated Kazakhstan citizens, suggesting that science and policy-and-legislation should be used to improve the situation.
- Rau's plea for normal border crossings includes a request to consider the benefits of integrating Kazakhstan into the "Travel Without Covid-19" system, which is already operational in Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia, promoting general-news and personal travel within the EAEU.
- In politics, it is essential to address the welfare of citizens and businesses, as the current chaos and shadow market surrounding border closures affects both groups, calling for a reconsideration of the stance on land border crossings for vaccinated citizens and those with a negative PCR test.
