the country had been stabilized. Mamin ordered the cabinet officials to form in the Stabilization Fund the necessary stocks of medicines and medical products in each region to which he cited examples in Almaty, Nur-Sultan (now Astana) and Aqtöbe Region. On 4 August 2020, with a decrease in COVID-19 cases, Mamin warned the government that the country must take steps to prevent the possible new wave of coronavirus infections that could occur in fall as he stated the increase of cases in 126 countries. He called for the continuation of intensive work in treating sick citizens and reduce the spread of the virus, as well as an awareness campaign on the need for citizens to comply with sanitary standards and quarantine requirements. At the State Commission meeting chaired by Mamin, it was decided on 13 August 2020 to phase out the lockdowns–imposed from 5 July 2020–starting from 17 August towards business but with limited capacity and 80% of employees were encouraged to maintain remote work format while the ban on mass events, entertainment facilities remained and the activities of cultural objects, museums, conferences, exhibitions and forums were prohibited. In September 2020, Mamin extended quarantine measures in fears of 2nd wave of infections by instructing the äkims to keep the epidemiological situation on the ground under special control, strictly comply with all sanitary standards, and respond promptly and accurately to changes in the rate of reproduction of the virus and morbidity with measures to prepare the infrastructure and ensure safety for workers. The Healthcare and Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry ministries were ordered to step up public awareness. Foreign policy In an official visit to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on 11–12 July 2019, Mamin met with Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov where they both discussed issues on bilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation. At the VIII Meeting of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz Intergovernmental Council held in Bishkek, Mamin along with Kyrgyz PM Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev outlined joint plans that were aimed at deepening trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. As a result, a number of agreements were signed. In Dushanbe, Mamin with Tajik PM Kokhir Rasulzoda signed seven new cooperation agreements and discussed the commitment to the course of strategic partnership which would benefit both countries. At the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council held on 17 July 2020 in Minsk, Mamin met with Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin where he thanked the Russian government for its