Azerbaijan: Authorities to tighten COVID-19 restrictions from October 19 /update 15

Event

The Azeri government has announced that restrictions introduced due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will be tightened from Monday, October 19. The restrictions, which include the closure of all educational facilities and the requirement for 70 percent of public sector employees to work from home, will remain in place until at least November 2. The Baku metro system will also be closed from 00:00 (local time) on October 19 until 06:00 on November 2. Authorities are also advising those over the age of 65 to only leave their homes for essential activities.

Existing restrictions have also been extended until November 2. Land borders remain closed and limited flights are operating for citizens, residents, their immediate families, and those with work or study permits. Those entering or leaving the country must provide a negative test for COVID-19 taken within 48 hours of their travel date and may also be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine at a government facility. The wearing of face masks is mandatory in enclosed and public spaces whilst public gatherings of over five people are banned. Although some non-essential businesses have reopened, others such as gyms and cinemas remain closed until November 2.

As of Friday, October 16, there have been 43,280 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Azerbaijan with 619 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.