Kyrgyzstan Proposes Allowing Businesses to Be Closed Only When There Is a Direct Threat to Life

In Kyrgyzstan, a bill by parliament deputy Ulukbek Karybek uulu has been put out for public discussion; it establishes a clear list of violations for which sanitary-epidemiological services will be able to suspend the operation of business entities.

According to the explanatory note, facilities may be closed only when there is a direct threat to people's life or health. The list includes dangerous microorganisms, toxins and radioactive substances, infectious diseases and poisonings, expired or unknown food raw materials, the absence of safe drinking water at food production facilities and in public catering establishments, as well as the absence of sterilization and disinfection of instruments in the provision of services.

Inspectors will be obliged to hand entrepreneurs a written justification of the decision with supporting evidence, to send the materials to the prosecutor's office no later than the next working day, and, after the violations have been remedied, to inspect the facility within three working days.

From January 1, 2028, inspections at business facilities are proposed to be conducted with continuous audio and video recording, with the recordings stored for one year. Material liability is envisaged for officials for unlawful decisions taken intentionally or through gross negligence.

According to the initiator, the changes should reduce unjustified pressure on business, lower corruption risks and make the work of the sanitary services more transparent.