LIFTING SOME RESTRICTIONS ON THE SPECIAL QUARANTINE REGIME IN AZERBAIJAN

Decision #176 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated May 15, 2020, lifts some restrictions applied in connection with the special quarantine in the country. Under this Decision, the following restrictions shall be lifted starting from 18 May 2020 on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan:

In Baku, Sumgayit, Ganja, Lankaran cities and Absheron region:

• Cancellation of the system of leaving the place of residence on the basis of a service card or a certificate of employment with the SMS permit system, registration on the portal "e-gov.az"
• Removal of restrictions on access to boulevard, parks and recreation areas provided that citizens do not gather in groups of more than 10 people
• Restoring the activities of restaurants, cafes, tea houses, as well as all facilities for providing services to clients from 08:00 to 18:00 (except for the use of hookah equipment in public catering facilities).

In the whole territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan:

• Restoring the activities of museums and exhibition halls;
• Lifting the ban on leaving people over 65 years old. It is recommended that people over 65 years old leave home if necessary, as they risk becoming infected with the COVID-19 virus. At the same time, one should not be in crowded places. It is recommended to observe social distance and use protective equipment.

Decision #178 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated May 16, 2020 defines additional measures related to the special quarantine regime.

The following restrictions remain in force under the special quarantine regime in the Republic of Azerbaijan until May 31, 2020:

• • suspension of access to the country by land and air, except for freight;
  • with the exception of the movement of special vehicles, ambulances, emergency vehicles, and trucks, the entry and exit to Baku, Sumgait, Absheron district, Ganja and Lankaran, as well as passenger transportation by land and air to other cities and regions of the country, were suspended;
  • suspension of the educational process in all educational institutions;
  • limitation of the number of employees in state bodies in Baku, Sumgait, Ganja, Lankaran and Absheron region;
  • suspension of group and individual reception of citizens in government bodies, with the exception of “ASAN” and “DOST” Service Centers;
  • besides funerals, the prohibition of religious events, as well as the organization and holding of mourning ceremonies in halls, tents and other enclosed spaces;
  • ban on wedding events;
  • suspension of all social events, including cultural and sports;
  • a ban on services for organizing events, including the organization of birthdays, weddings, engagements and similar ceremonies in the client's house or in other places;
  • a ban on gathering groups of more than 10 people in public places, including streets, boulevards, parks and other places;
  • suspension of activities of entertainment facilities, including children's entertainment facilities (including those located on the boulevard and in parks);
  • the closure of cultural facilities, with the exception of museums and exhibition halls, as well as cinemas, theaters, sports halls;
  • with the exception of grocery stores and pharmacies located inside, the suspension of large shopping centers and Malls;
  • a ban on the use of hookahs in public catering establishments;
  • suspension of customer service in restaurants, cafes, teahouses, as well as in all catering establishments in Baku, Sumgait, Ganja, Lankaran and Absheron region from 18:00 to 08:00;
  • a ban on relatives visiting patients at medical facilities, relatives visiting patients undergoing treatment in medical institutions;
  • suspension of sports, health and rehabilitation services (with the exception of medical services in this area);
  • attending a massage and to provide bath services.

It is recommended that after the removal of restrictions of the special quarantine regime enterprises (business objects) shall operate in accordance with the necessary social rules of conduct and sanitary-epidemiological rules and instructions provided by the Cabinet of Ministers and Task Force under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

RELOCATION OF WORKING AND REST DAYS IN AZERBAIJAN

Decision #177 of the Cabinet of Ministers dated May 15, 2020 regulates the relocation of working and rest days in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan and determination of non-working days during the special quarantine period.

According to the Decision, in order to ensure the sequence of working and rest days in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the places of rest on May 27, 2020, and May 31, 2020, were changed.

At the same time, as a special labor regime during the special quarantine period, May 29, 2020, as well as May 23 and May 30 for employees working in a six-day working week determined as non-working days.

It should be noted that May 24-25 is the holiday of Ramadan, and May 28 is the Republic Day. As May 24 is a Sunday, May 26 is considered as a non-working day for employees working both in five-day and six-day regimes. The period from May 23 to May 30 is considered as non-working days.

MEASURES TO BE TAKEN IN COURTS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) INFECTION IN AZERBAIJAN

On May 15, 2020, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan released information on the measures to be taken in courts in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in Azerbaijan. The courts of the Republic of Azerbaijan are recommended for the following measures in connection with the consideration of cases:

In all courts operating in the administrative territory of Baku, Sumgayit, Ganja, Lankaran cities and Absheron region:

-       Restoring an acceptance and consideration of all cases from May 18, 2020; -       Carrying out judicial activities in accordance with the necessary social rules of conduct and sanitary-epidemiological rules and instructions provided by the Cabinet of Ministers and Task Force under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan; -       Ban on gathering people in groups of more than 10 people in courtrooms during court proceedings, as well as inside administrative buildings; -       Ensuring that citizens use protective medical masks, observe personal hygiene, medical and preventive rules, as well as social distance during their stay in court buildings; -       Carrying out regular disinfection of administrative buildings of courts and equipping with protective and hygienic means; -       Resolving other necessary issues arising from recommendations of the Task Force under the Cabinet of Ministers regarding the work regime of judges and court staff.

In all other courts:

-       Reception of citizens shall be suspended, and the reception shall be carried out only by telephone, mobile and Internet connection.