Green Market in Almaty, along with its shopping malls, resumed operations under the name Ashyq
In a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19, the Ashyq pass system, a digital QR code-based health monitoring system, has been extended to shopping and entertainment centers, department stores, and non-food markets in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The test run of the Ashyq pass system began on Green Bazaar on July 2. Sadvakas Baigabulov, Deputy head of Almaty's Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control, confirmed the test run, and barrier tapes have been installed at the market to manage visitor flow. QR code signs have also been installed at the entrances, requiring visitors to scan them using a mobile app.
The Ashyq pass system tracks individuals' exposure to the virus and displays their health status color-coded as green, yellow, red, or blue. Only those with a green status, indicating low risk or no recent exposure, are typically allowed entry. This helps reduce the spread of COVID-19 by limiting access to potentially exposed or infected individuals.
The number of entrances to Green Bazaar has been reduced to 14, and if the pilot project is successful, shopping centers could operate without time restrictions set by the sanitary doctor's decree. Other shopping centers affected by the Ashyq system implementation include Mega Alma-Ata, Esentai Mall, Dostyk Plaza, and the "Aadem" market.
The extension of the Ashyq system is according to the decree of the city's chief sanitary doctor, Zhandarbek Bekshin. It's worth noting that Keruen and Mega Silk way malls in Nur-Sultan have already implemented the Ashyq pass system.
The detection rate of the Delta strain in positive PCR tests is 78% in Almaty, underscoring the need for such health safety measures. The Ashyq pass system requires visitors to scan a QR code at the entrances, and the color statuses include Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue.
The Ashyq system adds a layer of health security for shoppers and employees in these spaces, making shopping safer but also sometimes causing inconvenience for those with non-green statuses. The system may evolve or relax depending on the current public health situation.
