The special quarantine regime in Azerbaijan has been extended once again.
On September 25, Prime Minister Ali Asadov signed an official decision to prolong the quarantine period until January 1, 2025, at 6:00 AM. This extension is aimed at preventing the continued spread of COVID-19 and addressing its potential consequences. The previous deadline for the quarantine was set to expire on October 1, 2024.
In a recent speech at the Milli Majlis on September 23, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that the closure of Azerbaijan’s land borders is tied to national security. He stated that the ongoing border closures have protected the country from significant dangers. According to Aliyev, these measures have helped mitigate external threats, while internal risks remain minimal.
The coronavirus pandemic, which began spreading globally in late 2019, led Azerbaijan to impose a special quarantine regime starting in March 2020, including the closure of its land borders. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the pandemic over on May 5, 2023, Azerbaijan has continued its quarantine measures despite a significant reduction in COVID-19 infections.
Critics, including independent experts and opposition parties, argue that the ongoing quarantine and border closures are no longer related to COVID-19 but serve other purposes. However, the government has not provided any specific comments addressing these claims.