Azerbaijan: Authorities extend quarantine measures in some areas until August 31 /update 11

Event

Azerbaijani authorities have extended quarantine restrictions until at least August 31 in areas that have seen a rise in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases. The affected areas are Baku, Jalilabad, Ganja, Masalli, Sumgayit, Yevlakh, Absheron, Goranboy, Goygol, Mingachevir, Barda, Khackmaz, and Saylan. Under the measures, entry and exit from the above-mentioned areas is restricted, public transport is not operational during weekends, and many nonessential businesses will remain closed.

Additionally, for the remainder of the country, protective face masks are compulsory in public spaces, and gatherings of more than five people are prohibited. Many nonessential businesses remain closed.

Land borders remain closed until at least August 31, and most passenger flights are suspended.

As of Monday, August 3, there have been 20,206 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, and 174 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is 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.