Another wave of the COVID 19 pandemic faced by the international community is currently making its way. Insofar, over 60 million infection cases are already registered at global level with over 1 million of people dead from this type of coronavirus. The high level of virus infections in this stage of the pandemic makes it necessary to apply again toughened quarantine measures across various countries.

Considering high infection level observed in recent months in Azerbaijan, it has been decided to undertake toughened quarantine measures in the national territory to avert the spread of virus.

According to the relevant decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, following will be applied:

• Special quarantine regime in the country is extended until 06:00 of 31 January 2021;
• Toughened special quarantine regime is to be applied from 00:00 of 14 December 2020 until 00:00 of 18 January 2021;
• Considering toughening up the special quarantine regime, working activities and services are to be suspended in all areas except those defined by the relevant decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the entire national territory from 00:00 of 14 December 2020 until 00:00 of 18 January 2021. All commercial facilities, public services institutions, including restaurants, cafes and tea houses are authorized to serve customers on delivery services and online sale only;
• During the period from 00:00 of 14 December 2020 until 00:00 of 18 January 2021, entry and exit into the cities of Baku, Sumgayit, Ganja, Mingechevir, Shirvan, including the Absheron district territory and town centers of Lenkeran, Masally, Jalilabad, Sheki, Zagatala, Guba, Khachmaz, Yevlakh, Barda, Bilasuvar and Ismayilli (except villages and settlements) shall be suspended for all vehicles, except emergency and special mission vehicles, cargo transporting trucks as well as vehicle of the National Agency for Territories Demining of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
• During the period from 00:00 of 14 December 2020 until 00:00 of 18 January 2021, the restrictions shall be applied on movement in the cities of Baku, Sumgayit, Ganja, Mingechevir, Shirvan, including the Absheron district territory and town centers of Lenkeran, Masally, Jalilabad, Sheki, Zagatala, Guba, Khachmaz, Yevlakh, Barda, Bilasuvar and Ismayilli (except villages and settlements). Persons employed by relevant organizations defined by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan can be on the movement in the territories indicated above, including also the persons employed by other organizations and entities defined in the same decision whose data are entered by their employers on icaze.e-gov.az portal using electronic signature. Data of employees of relevant State authorities and private legal persons, including members of some volunteer organizations must be input starting from 10:00 of 9 December 2020.
• During the period from 00:00 of 14 December 2020 until 00:00 of 18 January 2021, all remaining persons are authorized to leave their places of residence or whereabouts via SMS permit system or by getting such permit by applying to Call Center – 102 Service of the On-Duty Emergency Management Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the cities of Baku, Sumgayit, Ganja, Mingechevir, Shirvan, including the Absheron district territory and town centers of Lenkeran, Masally, Jalilabad, Sheki, Zagatala,

SMS permit system is applied in following cases:

• Medical urgency case or scheduled medical treatment to leave places of residence or change whereabouts (such permit is issued for the period of 3 hours within the district and city; however, if it becomes necessary to travel between districts and cities, the period of time for treatment procedure and the distance between the point of destination and the point of residence are taken into account; the return period is defined on the basis of the certificate issued by a physician which is presented to police officers in case of necessity);
• A necessity of shopping in food and other daily product or purchasing medicines (in food stores, supermarkets, open door markets and drugstores), including also other services provided as a part of working activities and service areas such as public services, bank, post and those that are authorized to continue (such permit is issued for 3 hours once per day; the return time for those persons that leave their places of residence or change whereabouts due to the necessity of using public services is defined by the certificate issued by relevant public agency);
• Any person who has to leave his/her place of residence or change whereabouts to participate at the funerals of his/her close relative, must get the authorization via Call Center – 102 Service of the On-Duty Emergency Management Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
• Persons with an air ticket for international or domestic flights can leave their places of residence or change their whereabouts on the basis of those tickets and the seal put on their passport showing their entry via the State border into the country and their way to the places of final destination.

• Restrictions applied to the passenger transportation services of the Baku Subway are extended until 31 January 2021.
• Restrictions applied on public transport on Saturdays and Sundays in the entire national territory are extended until 06:00 of 31 January 2021.

Considering the impact on economic activities of the restrictions applied from 00:00 of 14 December 2020 until 00:00 of 18 January 2021, single financial support in the amount of AZN190 will be provided to almost 600 thousand persons in need defined during previous toughened quarantine regime. At the same time, employers working in restricted areas are considered to be compensated.

It should be recalled that it is imperative to wear accordingly medical masks in all closed and open areas of the country during the period of special quarantine regime.

We call upon every person to be supportive of these measures undertaken by the Government and strictly abide by quarantine requirements in fighting COVID 19 virus for the sake of health of yourself and your family to avert its wider spread.

During the current period, it is necessary not to be in public places without any serious necessity, avoid a close contact with other persons, and keep social distance in closed and open places and use medical mask and other protective means. We kindly ask you to strictly observe self-isolation rules as you start feeling first signs of this disease and undergo a course of necessary treatment.