Azernews.Az

By Aisha Jabbarova

Azerbaijan will ease coronavirus restrictions as of May 31 that include lifting face mask mandate in open places and introducing COVID-19 passports, the Operational Headquarters under the Cabinet of Ministers said in its briefing held on May 25.

Under the new rules, as of May 31, citizens will no longer be required to wear face masks in public places. Azerbaijan in June 2020 had made it mandatory for residents to wear face masks while in public places and imposed fines of up to $235 for failure to do so.

The work of Baku metro that had remained closed since October 2020, will also be resumed from May 31.

The next stage of easing of lockdown will enter force on June 10. Form this date, places of worship, large trade centers, beaches, sports and recreational centers will be opened for visitors again.

COVID passports

Another rule to be introduced has to do with COVID-19 passports. Citizens will be required to present COVID-19 passports to enter sports and recreational centers.

COVID passports will be comprised of two documents – vaccination certificate (about receiving vaccine jab) and immune certificate (about recovering from the disease). Both certificates will have a QR code and either of them will be required to enter sports and recreational centers.

Initially, COVID-19 passports will be applied only in sports and recreational centers. Later on, they will be used in other places such as concerts, weddings.

Vaccination

Head of the Department of Prevention and Control of Diseases of the Management Union of Medical Territorial Units (TABIB) Yagut Garayeva said during the briefing that around 2 million vaccine jabs have been administered in Azerbaijan since January 18.

She said that Azerbaijan has sufficient volume of vaccine, adding that citizens are free to chose the kind of vaccine the want.

As to the demographics of COVID-19, Garayeva said that the infection cases were most common among 30-69 age group and that the number of female patients outnumbered males.

Garayeva said that Baku, Sumgayit and Absheron peninsula account for overall 54 percent of COVID-19 cases nationwide, with Binagad, Khatai being top Baku districts for COVID-19 cases. She noted that there is positive dynamics in other regions.

As of May 24, Azerbaijan, the nation of ten million, has registered 332,610 COVID-19 cases and 4,867 coronavirus-related deaths. Some 321,132 citizens have recovered from the disease.

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