Kazakh president warns cabinet could be dissolved if epidemiological situation doesn't improve

NUR-SULTAN - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev warned the country's cabinet could be dissolved or reshuffled if the COVID-19 epidemiological situation doesn't improve, the presidential press service announced Friday.

Tokayev made the remarks while chairing an expanded government session via videoconference.

"I hope the situation improves in two weeks. Otherwise, it raises a question if the government can continue working in this composition," said Tokayev, adding the current epidemiological situation is of great concern to everyone.

Tokayev said all regional governors and a number of ministers deserve to be reprimanded for failing to curb the spread of the virus.

"Now we are at war. Therefore, each leader is required to be as efficient as possible in resolving issues and completing assignments. You should not escape responsibility and engage in bureaucracy," the president said.

Tokayev added the government would allocate an additional 150 billion tenge (365 million US dollars) in the fight against COVID-19.

Kazakhstan has reported 54,747 confirmed cases and 264 deaths as of Friday. More than 1,700 new cases were reported over the past 24 hours.