Tenants of the roped-off house in the city center of Almaty, Kazakhstan, getting a breath of fresh air during the isolation period. March 23, 2020. Photo by Yenlik O'Neill

Photo Diary Shows Kazakhstan Living Through a Pandemic

by Yenlik O'Neill

On March 13, 2020, Kazakhstan declared a state of emergency and shortly after shut down its borders. The local population had to adapt to the new regime that was introduced to minimize the chances of the further virus outbreak on the territory of the state.

On March 28, 2020, the whole city of Almaty went on a complete lockdown. The local authorities reinforced the quarantine measures. No one is allowed to leave his or her house unless there is a necessity to go to a grocery store and/or to a pharmacy. One is required to wear a mask when being outside. People of age over 65 are highly recommended to stay at home. All educational institutions have been transferred online. Cafes and restaurants may provide their services only on home-delivery basis. Ever since, the lives of people have changed drastically ...

Pedestrians and cyclist crossing a street on a Saturday morning. One week before the complete lockdown. March 21, 2020.

“Entrance [to the grocery store] without an individual protection equipment is strictly prohibited." March 28, 2020.

Supermarket customers reading the product packages to make sure that the food from the shelves has not expired yet. April 5, 2020.

Two boys learning how to ride a bicycle during the pandemic in Almaty, Kazakhstan. March 21, 2020.

A man on his way back home from a grocery store. April 9, 2020.

A police car patrolling the streets during the COVID-19 outbreak. April 9, 2020.

A lonely alley on a snowy day during the quarantine. April 9, 2020.

A picturesque view to the Alatau mountains from the Esentai river.

Thanks to the strict measures taken during the quarantine, the level of air pollution in the Almaty city has dropped. One can clearly see the beautiful mountains that are usually hiding behind the clouds of smog.

April 5, 2020.

The night-time view to an apartment complex during the quarantine. April 15, 2020.

A close-up shot of the windows of one of the apartment complex buildings. April 15, 2020.

A man going back and forth from one room to another as part of his quarantine fitness routine. Since it is now allowed to walk on the streets, some people choose to be physically active at home. April 19, 2020.

COVID-19: Kazakhstan is an online photo-diary created in Spring ‘20 for the JMC321 Digital Photojournalism class at the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG).

All the photo materials were shot and edited by Yenlik O’Neill in Almaty, Kazakhstan.