NUR-SULTAN / ex ASTANA (Satrapia) — Kazakhstan will resume international flights to Turkey, China, South Korea, Thailand, Georgia and Japan as of June 20, the press service of the country’s Civil Aviation Committee said in a statement Friday.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development, the resumption of flights will take place in steps in accordance with the decision of the inter-agency commission to prevent the emergence and spread of COVID-19 infection in Kazakhstan.

The Ministry is also taking into account the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and the epidemiological situation in other countries.

In March, Kazakhstan suspended all international passenger flights due to COVID-19, with the exception of those repatriating its citizens stranded abroad.

The country’s airlines and all related activities suffered significant losses due to the pandemic. To support the industry, the government of Kazakhstan has announced reductions in taxes and a partial refund of domestic airfares.

Yesterday, Friday, Kazakhstan reported nearly 14,000 confirmed cases and 68 deaths.