Will the Cabinet Extend the Quarantine Again?
The special quarantine regime in Azerbaijan, initiated four years and three months ago in response to the coronavirus pandemic, is set to end on July 1 at 06:00. However, many analysts predict that the Cabinet of Ministers might once again extend the quarantine measures, as has been done repeatedly over the years.
Despite a series of easing measures, several restrictions remain in place, notably the closure of land borders. In March, the government extended the quarantine citing ongoing threats from the coronavirus, even though the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the pandemic over on May 5 of last year. In recent years, government officials have also cited security considerations when discussing these measures.
The Cabinet's decision on whether to lift restrictions, particularly on land borders, remains uncertain. Fazil Mustafa, a member of the Milli Majlis Committee on Human Rights, admitted in an interview with Turan that while the government's official stance hinges on coronavirus risks, other factors might be at play.
"Security concerns, regional war conditions, and other considerations may influence this decision," Mustafa noted. He suggested that instead of a complete border closure, the government should consider easing restrictions, particularly for students, patients, and travelers, given the reduced risk of coronavirus.
The prolonged closure of land borders is increasingly seen as inconvenient and unpopular among citizens. Mustafa emphasized the need for more balanced measures to mitigate these impacts.
Political commentator Nasimi Mammadov claims in an interview with Radio Azadlig that the WHO's declaration indicates that the pandemic threat has diminished globally. "Keeping borders closed for pandemic reasons is illogical now. The persistent closure likely stems from political considerations rather than health concerns," Mammadli asserted. He speculated that the closures might be related to regional developments or internal security concerns.
Mammadli also suggested that the government might be using these restrictions to test societal compliance. "There seems to be an attempt to acclimate society to these restrictions, and unfortunately, society appears to be adapting," he observed.
Independent economists propose another rationale for the continued border closures: economic protectionism. They argue that the government might be trying to curb the outflow of currency by preventing citizens from shopping in neighboring countries like Iran, Georgia, and Russia, where goods are often cheaper. Before the pandemic, many Azerbaijanis sought medical treatment in these countries, a practice now restricted without official permission.
A Brief History of the Quarantine
The coronavirus pandemic began in late 2019, with the WHO declaring it a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The virus spread rapidly worldwide, causing approximately 7 million deaths. In Azerbaijan, over 830,000 infections and 10,400 deaths have been reported. However, infection rates have significantly declined in recent years.
Economics
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On September 20, 2024, Volts Energy Ltd., an engineering company based in Abu Dhabi, and Azerbaijan’s Turan Energy LLC announced the creation of a new joint entity, TuranVoltsEnergy. This venture will focus on EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) projects in renewable energy and energy storage systems within Azerbaijan.
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The number of passengers traveling by air from Azerbaijan has seen a significant increase in 2024, rising by 26.7% from January to September compared to the same period last year. According to the State Agency for Tourism, a total of 2,548,897 people used air transport services to travel to 40 countries during this period.
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Azerbaijan’s prolonged border closures, approaching five years, have taken a profound toll on the labor market, particularly in border regions, where cross-border trade and services were once critical economic drivers. Official data highlights the stark disparity between the growing labor force and the lack of new job creation in these areas, underscoring the social and economic challenges faced by residents.
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Azerbaijan’s food imports have surged to unprecedented levels, with a significant rise recorded in the first nine months of 2024, according to data from the State Customs Committee. Food imports for January-September reached USD 1.755 billion, marking an 11.4% increase over the same period last year. This represents a USD 179.7 million increase compared to 2023, setting a record for food imports in the country’s history. Over the past decade, food imports have more than doubled, rising by 2.4 times, with a notable 52.5% growth in the last five years alone.
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