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Health Alert and COVID-19 Updates (August 5, 2020)
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14 MINUTE READ
August 5, 2020

Health Alert and COVID-19 Updates (August 5, 2020)

Limited Flights Available to Istanbul, London, Berlin, Minsk and Dubai

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) and Turkish Airlines are now offering multiple weekly flights between Baku and Istanbul. AZAL is offering weekly flights between Baku and London (Thursdays) and Baku and Berlin (Fridays). Belavia is offering flights to Minsk and FlyDubai is offering flights to Dubai.  AZAL recently announced that their special flight offerings would continue through October, 2020.  Flight reservations should be made directly through the airlines.

A negative COVID-19 test is required for passengers flying to or from Azerbaijan in order to check-in for their flight. The certificate showing a negative COVID-19 test result must be issued within 48 hours of departure.  For flight paths consisting of several different flights, the term “departure” refers to the departure time of the flight going directly to Azerbaijan.  The test itself can be taken more than 48 hours before the flight to allow for time for test results to be processed.  Please be sure to have a paper copy of your test results available for inspection at the airport.  The following labs are accredited by the Management Union of Medical Territorial Units (TABIB) to offer Covid-19 tests:

  • Bona Dea International Hospital / Inci Laboratories
  • Address: Bulbul Avenue, 40 , Baku
  • Contact number: +994 51 229 49 80
  • Home testing available
  • Referans Clinical Laboratory Centre
  • Address: Mirzabala Mammadzade Street, Baku
  • Contact number: +994 70 653 00 33
  • Home testing available
  • Memorial Clinic
  • Address: Gara Garayev Avenue, 38a.
  • Contact number: +994 12 520 30 40, Baku
  • Home testing available
  • Center for Control of Particularly Dangerous Infections
  • Caspian International Hospital
    • 31 Badamdar Street, Baku
    • +994 12 502 50 15/16/18
  • UltraLab Center
    • Address: 156C Asif Maharramov
    • Contact Number: +994 12 440 13 00

 

Current Situation in Azerbaijan

On August 3, 2020, the Government of Azerbaijan announced the elimination of the SMS permissions regime restricting individual movements, effective 06:00 August 5, 2020.  Use of public beaches will also be permitted.

The Government of Azerbaijan’s quarantine regime restricting movement between the regions of Baku, Sumgayit, Ganja, Absheron, and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic remains in effect through August 31, 2020.  However, beginning August 5, 2020, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan announced that those with special permission from icaze.e-gov.az will be permitted to travel to and from the regions.

A number of rules and restrictions remain in place for the remainder of Azerbaijan’s quarantine regime through August 31, 2020.  In periods outside announced stay-at-home orders, individuals must maintain social distancing and wear masks on public transportation, in commercial facilities, and in a number of other instances or face a fine.  Individuals are not allowed to gather in groups of 5 or more people in public places.  Please refer to our website or the full text of the announcement for more information.

As of August 5, 2020, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Azerbaijan Republic confirmed 33,103 cases of COVID-19 within its borders. There have been 476 confirmed deaths. The government has acknowledged that community spread of the virus is occurring and that COVID-19 infections are present in all regions of Azerbaijan.

All Passenger Traffic to and from Azerbaijan Is Currently Suspended.  The Cabinet of Ministers of the Azerbaijan Republic has announced all land and air traffic in and out of Azerbaijan will remain closed at least through August 31, 2020.   Special, private, and charter flights will continue to operate.  Special flights can be booked directly through the airline as noted above.

Visa extensions for foreigners in Azerbaijan: The State Migration Service (SMS) announced that applications of foreigners who have been registered upon place of stay and whose staying period will expire by July 1 are considered to be accepted, and their staying period will be extended for 30 to 60 days, depending on an individuals’ will.  Further, the applications of foreigners whose temporary staying period has already been extended for 30 days and will expire by July 1 are considered to be accepted by the State Migration Service, and the staying period of these persons in the country will be extended for up to 30 days.  Foreigners whose temporary staying period has been extended for up to 60 days is considered legal without the payment of additional state fees until the restrictions on the movement at the border are lifted.  These individuals will be required to leave Azerbaijan shortly after travel restrictions are lifted, or apply for a residency permit if they intend to stay.  Please see this announcement for more information.

The government of Azerbaijan has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions, including additional restrictions on travel inside Azerbaijan, to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.

Currently all arrivals to Azerbaijan, including U.S. citizens, are being placed in a mandatory 14-day quarantine in government-provided facilities, regardless of travel origin.  The quality of basic services in these facilities varies and may not meet all travelers’ individual needs.  These quarantine measures are subject to change without prior notice.  There are reports of U.S. citizens having to share quarters with strangers and of families being separated in quarantine facilities.

On March 6, 2020, the Department of State allowed for the voluntary departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members from Azerbaijan.

Effective March 16, 2020, U.S. Embassy Baku suspended routine consular services.  For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information or send us an email at BakuACS@state.gov.

Many travelers worldwide have reported unexpected flight cancellations and limited flight availability.  If your travel has been disrupted, please contact your airline.

The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Global COVID-19 Outbreak Notice.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Warning for COVID-19 in Europe advising travelers to avoid non-essential travel to Europe.

Actions to Take:

 

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Baku, Azerbaijan
111 Azadlig Avenue
AZ1007 Baku, Azerbaijan
(994 12) 488 3300
BakuACS@state.gov
U.S. Embassy Baku website

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Alerts, Consul General
Baku