On 18 May, the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers softened the nationwide quarantine regime imposed nearly two months ago, reported Trend. 

The relaxation of the lockdown would enable residents leave their homes freely without obtaining SMS permission and also remove the restriction on the movement of people aged over 65. The new lockdown rules also include the opening of museums, galleries and removes restriction on the entry to boulevards, parks and some other recreation venues provided that no more than 10 people are gathered in groups. The easing of the lockdown applies to Baku, Sumgayit, Ganja, Lankaran and Absheron regions in the country as other regions saw relaxation of the lockdown earlier on 4 May.

Also, the special police posts, set in Baku, Sumgayit cities and Absheron regions, had been removed, but the police and military servicemen of Internal Troops continue to control the special quarantine regime. A spokesman for the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry Ehsan Zahidov stated that the employees of the state agencies, who need to leave Baku, Sumgayit, Absheron, Ganja, and Lankaran, and go to other regions, should submit the received the travel documents and other documents given to them by the state body.  

Other restrictions would remain in place until 31 May in the country, including classes in all educational institutions; wedding ceremonies; religious ceremonies (with the exception of funerals); the operation of shopping malls; sporting, cultural and other public events; children’s entertainment centers, gyms, baths, massage parlors, services in the sphere of sport; health-improving and recovery procedures (except for medical services in this area); the use of hookah equipment in catering facilities; visiting patients in hospitals; group and individual admission of citizens on site in other state bodies, except for ASAN and DOST service centers.

As from 18 May, the tally of infected persons in Azerbaijan stands at 3 387, with 40 reported deaths.