In Kyrgyzstan, residents of a high-rise building are locked up due to the threat of coronavirus

A video made at night appeared on social networks, where welding flashes are visible in the distance. A voiceover comments on what is happening, stating that the municipality staff tightly welded up the door. In this form, the information spread to the media.

The Kyrgyz public was outraged by information that in the city of Karakol (in the north of the republic), residents of one of the entrances of a high-rise building were cut off from the outside world. However, later the mayor’s office of Karakol explained the situation.

“The information that the municipality blocked the entrance door of one of the houses of Karakol is not true. In the evening, April 5, in order to ensure the safety of citizens, the city headquarters decided to put a cordon round the house №55 in the area of ​​the Brick factory, because one of the residents of this house had symptoms of COVID-19,” the mayor’s office said.

It is noted that since March 30, a man with a family of 5 people has been in the observation of the regional hospital. However, due to the fact that the man, prior to being placed for observation, had contact with other people whose names he refused to give, the doctors decided to give the house, in which he lived, a special quarantine status.

“During the disinfection of the house, front door repairs were carried out (external hinges for the bell were welded). The municipality does not intend to impose an absolute restriction on the movement of citizens,” the local authorities specified.

ACCA turned to the Ombudsman of Kyrgyzstan for a legal assessment of what happened.

“Our representative went to the site in order to understand the situation. He spoke with residents, police and doctors. As it turned out, the problem is that despite the difficult situation, that Kyrgyzstan faces today due to the coronavirus pandemic, not all people understand their responsibility. In particular, the tenants of the high-rise building, mentioned in the media, without knowing it, contacted a man who could be a potential bearer of coronavirus infection. When the doctors informed them about it and told about the need to take tests, people ignored the request and started to run away,” Tokon Mamytov said.

He explained that as a human rights defender, he does not support tough measures, but in this situation, when the country is going through difficult times, he considers these measures to be acceptable.

“In fact, no one limits people. They are not locked up, as many media have written about it. Yes, a team of doctors is on duty at the house, asking people to undergo an examination. Those who do not want to, but who are at risk, are persuaded, but when this does not work, the police are talking to them. And what to do with people who are not ready to bear responsibility for their actions?” the Ombudsman added.