Alma-Ata WASHINGTON, Jan 8 The Department of State has allowed departure at the request of part of the staff and all members families of American employees of the US Consulate General in Almaty, and also recommended that fellow citizens refuse to travel to Kazakhstan due to the unrest and the spread of the coronavirus. The report said that the nationwide unrest, which began on January 2, led to massive destruction of infrastructure and government buildings in Alma -Ate, «the detention, injury and/or death of a significant number of protesters and security forces.» civil servants — employees of the Consulate General in Alma-Ata, «- said the State Department. Earlier, the Consulate General stopped receiving visitors and sent o to remote operation. The US Embassy in the quieter capital Nur-Sultan continues to operate with fewer restrictions. «The State Department advises US citizens to avoid travel to Kazakhstan due to COVID-19 and civil unrest,» the message said. Diplomats warn of the continuing threat of «demonstrations, protests and strikes «. «Such events can develop rapidly and without prior notification, disrupting transport links, communications, and other services. They have the potential to become violent,» the State Department added. 
