Health Alert and COVID-19 Updates (June 30, 2020)
Limited Flights Available to Istanbul on AZAL and Turkish Airlines
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) and Turkish Airlines are now offering limited flights between Baku and Istanbul. Flight reservations can 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 before the flight. However, 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:
Inci Laboratories
Address: Bulbul Avenue, 40
Contact number: +994 51 229 49 80
Referans Clinical Laboratory Centre
Address: Mirzabala Mammadzade Street
Contact number: +994 70 653 00 33
Memorial Clinic
Address: Gara Garayev Avenue, 38a.
Contact number: +994 12 520 30 40
Current Situation in Azerbaijan
The Government of Azerbaijan has extended rules restricting international passenger traffic and movement between the regions of Baku, Sumgayit, Ganja, Lankaran, Absheron, and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through August 1, 2020.
On June 17, 2020, the Government of Azerbaijan announced the reintroduction of an SMS permissions regime restricting individual movements of persons in affected areas from June 21 through 06:00 a.m. on July 5, 2020. These rules apply for individuals located in Baku, Ganja, Sumgayit, Lankaran, Yevlakh, Masalli, Lankaran, Jalilabad, and Absheron. According to these restrictions, individuals will need to obtain permission by sending a text message in order to leave home for essential trips, including visits to grocery stores, pharmacies, medical facilities, and banks. Individuals must send “1” to leave home for medical care, “2” for trips to the grocery store, pharmacy, bank, post office, or outdoor recreational activity, and “3” to attend funerals. Foreigners temporarily staying in Azerbaijan can obtain an identification number from the State Migration Service (SMS) online. Foreigners must then text the number indicating the reason for their departure from home plus either their temporary or permanent residence number (e.g. MYI/DYI 11111111) or the identification number provided online by the SMS to the number 8103. For example, if a person with a temporary residence permit would like to leave the house to buy groceries, they would text “2 MYI 11111111” to 8103. A text message granting permission will come within one hour. Individuals are allowed to be away from home
for two hours when using code “1” or “2.” Please be aware that individuals will only be granted permission for one excursion outside the home each day, not one excursion per category.
Police will then verify this information when conducting checks on the street. Fines or jail terms can be imposed for violators of these rules. For assistance to resolve technical difficulties, or if you do not receive permission within one hour, call the ASAN service center at 9108. Please refer to our website or this announcement for more information.
A number of rules and restrictions remain in place for the remainder of Azerbaijan’s announced quarantine regime through August 1, 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 10 or more people in public places. Individuals aged 65 and above are now allowed to leave their homes but are encouraged to do so only if necessary. Traffic to/from the areas of Baku, Absheron, Ganja, and Lankaran remains suspended. Please refer to our website or the full text of the announcement for more information.
As of June 29, 2020, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Azerbaijan Republic confirmed 16,968 cases of COVID-19 within its borders. There have been 206 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 passenger traffic in and out of Azerbaijan will remain closed at least through August 1.
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: · Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations. · Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions. · Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Azerbaijan. · Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States