[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
COVID-19 and Us
On December 31, 2021 the Ministry of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic puts into circulation a series of Kyrgyz Express Post postage stamps: “COVID-19 and Us”.
Collective Minisheet
For almost two years, people have been living in special conditions caused by the unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed millions of lives. Billions of people on every continent of the world, to varying degrees, face the consequences of the spread of this infection.
Mobilization of scientific, technological and industrial potential made it possible to find effective means to confront the disease. Several vaccines have been created, thanks to which it is now possible to significantly reduce the negative consequences of the pandemic. 
Nevertheless, the virus continues to be a significant factor in our lives.
Wearing a mask became a habit. Sometimes the use of this health control measure, however paradoxical it may sound, leads to some comic situations. Having become accustomed to masks and no longer noticing them on their faces, sometimes people behave as they did in everyday life before the pandemic. KEP designers 
illustrated some situations of this kind on the new stamps.
Despite many successes in the fight against COVID-19, this infectious disease is still far from being eradicated. Unfortunately, COVID-19 remains a part of our lives and requires compliance with the relevant norms of conduct. One of which is wearing a protective mask, as called for in the new Kyrgyz Express Post issue of postage stamps.
For this series, KEP also issues two postcards, which are used to realize two maximum cards (below). 
Technical specifications:
Paper: coated, gummed, 105 g/m².
Printing method: full-color offset lithography.
Stamps perforation: comb 14:14½.
Stamps size: 46.00 х 27.50 mm.
Stamps are issued in minisheets of 5 stamps with one label. Stamps are also issued in a collective minisheet of 2 stamps (one complete set and two labels).
Minisheets size: 113 x 108 mm.
Collective minisheet size: 113 х 80 mm.
Quantity issued: 9 000 pieces each stamp, including the
quantity of the collective minisheet – 2000 pieces.
Designer: Diana Roşcovan.
Printer House: “Nova Imprim” (Chișinău, Moldova).
A special cancellation on FDC will be carried out at the Bishkek KEP Office (729001) on the stamps issuing day.
The first day cover, postcards and special cancellation are designed by Diana Roşcovan.
Cover size: С6 (162 х 114 mm).
Cover and postcard printing method: digital.
Quantity of covers issued: 600 pieces.
Quantity of postcards issued: 400 pieces each.
Endorsing ink color: black.
Stamps, maximum cards and FDCs can be purchased here.
Other KEP issues on December 31st are Year of the Tiger [on VSC], Woodpeckers (a joint issue with Croatia), the Pamir Highway, and Anniversaries of Great Personalities (Walter Scott, Johannes Kepler, Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, and Albrecht Dürer.
