COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Azerbaijan (11 December Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter Azerbaijan.

• Azerbaijani citizens who have visited countries affected by an outbreak of coronavirus in the last 14 days must also submit a medical certificate for a COVID-19 test to obtain permission to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No with exceptions

• Foreign nationals wishing to visit Azerbaijan must apply for a visa through relevant local Azerbaijani embassies and consulates. To obtain permission to enter Azerbaijan, foreigners must submit a medical certificate after being tested for COVID-19. For further inquiries, please contact [email protected].

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes

• Passengers could be tested on arrival. All arriving travellers are screened for symptoms. Anyone who displays symptoms of COVID-19 will be directed to the medical station at the airport. They may be taken to a quarantine facility or to a hospital.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• A valid certificate for a negative PCR COVID-19 test is required. If the certificate is older than 48 hours prior to the flight, it cannot be used for entry. A rapid result test will not be accepted for entry.

• Any foreign citizen without a test will not be allowed to enter and will be sent back by the same carrier at their own expense.

• The certificate is accepted if obtained via e-mail and printed out, or a paper certificate.

• Passengers departing from Azerbaijan will require a negative COVID-19 test certificate taken no more than 48 hours before their flight.

• A test certificate is also required for domestic flights.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• Passengers who do not test positive on arrival will not be required to stay in a state quarantine facility. However, all arrivals must self-isolate for 14 days and respect any restrictions on movement.

• Anyone who displays symptoms of COVID-19 will be directed to the medical station at the airport. They may be taken to a quarantine facility or to a hospital.

Airline restrictions

• Significant

• Special commercial flights to and from Baku are operating with limited services.

• Domestic flights are operating.

• All passengers must wear face masks while in the airport and on flights.

• Passengers must reach the airport at least four hours before departure and must follow the rules, procedures, restrictions, and instructions applicable at the airport.

• Passengers departing from Azerbaijan will require a negative COVID-19 test certificate taken no more than 48 hours before their flight.

• Belavia Airlines has resumed four flights per week between Baku and Minsk on 4 December.

Border restrictions

• Significant

• Restrictions on travelling to and out of Azerbaijan by air or land are in force until the 28th of December, except for cargo and charter flights.

• All land borders are closed.

Curfew restrictions

• Significant

• Unless employed in one of the exempt businesses or service sectors listd here and registered by the employer, in order to leave an accommodation, anyone will need prior approval through the SMS-permission system. Leaving an accommodation is allowed only for the following circumstances:

• for urgent medical needs or treatment;

• for the purchase of food and other basic necessities and medicines (in grocery stores, supermarkets, markets, and pharmacies);

• to use state, banking, postal, and other services which are allowed to continue functioning;

• for exercise and to go into the open air.

• A curfew from 21:00 hours to 06:00 hours has been imposed in Baku, Ganja, Sumgayit, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Naftalan, Absheron, Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Agjabadi, Beylagan, Agdam, Barda, Tartar, Goranboy, Goygol, Dashkasan, Gadabay, Tovuz, Shamkir, Gazakh, and Agstafa.

• A weekend lockdown is in place starting from 00:01 on Saturdays and ending 06:00 Mondays until end of January.

• From 14 December to 18 January, movement restrictions have imposed in Baku, Mingachevir, Sumgait, Ganja, Shirvan cities, Absheron district, as well as in centres of Lankaran, Masalli, Jalilabad, Shaki, Zagatala, Guba, Khachmaz, Yevlakh, Barda, Bilasuvar, and Ismayilli districts (except villages and settlements).

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

Internal travel restrictions

• Significant

• Rail services are operating.

• Public transportation in Baku has been temporarily suspended.

• Public transportation in Sumgayit and Absheron has been suspended during weekends.

• Baku Metro has been suspended until 31 January 2021.

• Permit-free, inter-regional movement is allowed in some regions in private cars.

• Entry-exit restricted to and from Sheki city and the regions of Agstafa, Bilasuvar, Khachmaz, Ismayili, Gakh, Zagatala, Lankaran, Jalilabad, and Masalli until 14 December.

Non-essential shops open?

• No

• Most businesses and services will be closed until 18 January 2021.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are allowed to open with limited operating hours and must close on weekends.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Cafes are allowed to open with limited operating hours and must close on weekends.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Beaches are open.

• Public catering facilities at beaches are open.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Exhibition halls and museums are allowed to open.

Personal care services open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Barbershops, cosmetic services and beauty salons are allowed to open but are closed on weekends.

Events allowed?

• No

• All public and private events, including cultural and sports events and wedding parties, have been suspended temporarily.

• Outdoor sports competitions without spectators are allowed.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Wearing a face mask is mandatory in public places. Violation may lead fine.

Other

• Access to parks and recreation areas is permitted.

• All entertainment activities, venues, and other cultural facilities, including theatres and gyms have been suspended temporarily.

Advice

The COVID-19 epidemic is changing constantly worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.