NUR-SULTAN, March 27 (Reuters) - Kazakhstan on Friday ordered most companies in its capital Nur-Sultan and biggest city Almaty to suspend work between March 30 and April 5, the government said, as part of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Only state bodies, healthcare organisations, media, food retailers, pharmacies and other essential service providers will be allowed to continue work, it said in a statement. (Reporting by Tamara Vaal Writing by Olzhas Auyezov Editing by Catherine Evans)