The fine for wearing a mask in Kyrgyzstan will be reduced by half
The draft law also applies to the use of medical masks. If worn for medical reasons, it will not result in a fine. Foreigners, however, will initially only be given a warning.
Fines for wearing a mask in Kyrgyzstan to be reduced by half
A draft law proposing to reduce the fine for completely covering the face in public places from 20,000 som to 10,000 som has been submitted to the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan — the Jogorku Kenesh. The document is currently open for public discussion.
According to the proposal, an amendment will be made to Article 127-1 of the Code of Offenses. This article establishes liability for wearing a face mask in government institutions and public places. Current legislation sets a fine of 20,000 som for this offense. The authors of the document propose reducing it to 10,000 som.
Leniency for foreigners
One of the main changes concerns foreign citizens. Under the new draft law, foreigners who violate the ban on fully covering their face for the first time will be issued only a warning instead of a fine. If the violation is repeated within one year after the warning, a fine of 10,000 som will be applied.
At the same time, foreigners will be obliged to temporarily uncover their faces to confirm their identity in cases provided for by law. The authors of the law explained this initiative by the fact that some tourists arriving in the country have a habit of covering their faces in their culture.
“The lack of sufficient awareness among some visitors about the existing restrictions may lead to a violation. Imposing an immediate fine on them creates a negative impression of the trip,” the explanatory note states.
According to the initiators, the warning measure will help explain the requirements of Kyrgyz legislation without placing a financial burden on foreigners.
Regulations and exceptions regarding medical masks
The draft law also clarifies the issue of using medical masks. It is proposed that individuals using medical masks authorized for circulation in Kyrgyzstan and recognized as medical items will be issued a warning instead of a fine if there are signs of an offense in their actions. If the violation is repeated within one year, a fine of 10,000 som will apply.
It is explained that wearing a simple medical mask covering the mouth and nose is not itself considered a violation. If the mask is worn based on medical indications, there will be no liability whatsoever.
Low-income families and preventive measures
The authors of the document emphasize that the current 20,000 som fine is a heavy financial burden, especially for low-income citizens. This amount can severely impact funds needed for a family's primary needs.
The document cites the city of Osh as an example. In April 2025, police officers in the city of Osh identified nearly 300 individuals who had fully covered their faces. At that time, law enforcement officers refrained from imposing fines, conducting explanatory work, distributing information booklets, and limiting themselves to warnings.
The authors of the initiative believe that warnings and preventive measures will be more effective than imposing large fines right away. At the same time, there are no proposals to lift the ban on fully covering the face in government institutions and public places. Exceptions provided for medical reasons, official duties, sports, cultural, and other events will remain in force.