Azerbaijan's Border Policy: When Will They Open?

Azerbaijan's land borders have been closed since the spring of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The country has extended its special quarantine regime multiple times, with the most recent extension lasting until October 2, 2024. This has caused dissatisfaction among citizens, as plane tickets are expensive and road trips are no longer an option. While Azerbaijan's borders remain closed, the country is partially open to foreigners, including Russians, who must comply with certain COVID-19-related restrictions.

Azerbaijan's land borders remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic

The closure of the land borders has negatively impacted the residents of border villages, particularly those with relatives on the other side of the border, as they have been unable to see them for over three years. It has also affected the local economy, as many residents used to travel to neighbouring countries to purchase goods, which they would then sell in Azerbaijan.

Despite the World Health Organization (WHO) cancelling the pandemic, the Azerbaijani authorities have decided to maintain the special quarantine regime, keeping the borders closed indefinitely. This decision has created significant challenges for those living in the border regions and disrupted the lives of local communities.

The country's special quarantine regime has been extended multiple times

Azerbaijan has extended its special quarantine regime multiple times since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country's land borders have been closed since the spring of 2020, causing dissatisfaction among citizens as plane tickets are expensive and road trips are no longer an option.

The quarantine regime was initially set to last until July 1, 2020, but it was extended multiple times. In June 2021, the quarantine was extended until September 1, 2021, and restrictions on flights and border crossings were in place. In May 2024, the quarantine was extended again until October 2, 2024, keeping the land borders closed.

The decision to maintain the special quarantine regime and closed borders has created significant challenges for residents of border villages, particularly those with relatives on the other side of the border. The closure of land borders has negatively impacted economic activities and cross-border trade, with many entrepreneurs closing their retail facilities and taxi drivers losing customers.

Despite the challenges and calls for opening the borders, the Azerbaijani authorities have prioritized the country's security and the prevention of COVID-19 spread.

The land borders have been closed since spring 2020

The land borders of Azerbaijan have been closed since spring 2020, when the country's Cabinet of Ministers made the decision to close them due to the coronavirus pandemic. The borders have remained closed for over three years, despite the WHO cancelling the pandemic. The Azerbaijani government has repeatedly extended a special quarantine regime, which has caused dissatisfaction among citizens as it prevents them from crossing the border by road and plane tickets are extremely expensive.

The closure of the land borders has negatively impacted the residents of border villages, particularly those with relatives on the other side of the border, as they have been unable to see them for over three years. It has also affected people's livelihoods, as many residents of these villages previously travelled to neighbouring countries to purchase goods, which they would then sell in Azerbaijan.

There have been calls from members of the Azerbaijani parliament for the borders to be reopened, particularly the border with Georgia, as the pandemic is considered to be under control in Azerbaijan. However, as of September 2023, the special quarantine regime had been extended until October 1, 2023, keeping the land borders closed.

The only way to leave Azerbaijan is by plane

Azerbaijan's land borders have been closed since the spring of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The country has been under a special quarantine regime, which has been extended multiple times, with the most recent extension lasting until October 2, 2024. As a result, the only way to leave Azerbaijan is by plane.

The closure of the land borders has caused significant dissatisfaction among citizens, especially those residing in border villages, who previously relied on cross-border trade and interactions for their livelihood. The high cost of plane tickets further exacerbates the situation, making travel unaffordable for many.

The Azerbaijani government's decision to maintain the special quarantine regime and closed land borders, even as neighbouring countries have long reopened theirs, has led to speculation about the real reasons behind these measures. Some suggest that the pandemic is being used as a pretext, and the true motive may be related to security concerns or other undisclosed factors.

The impact of the closed borders extends beyond economic hardships, as many individuals with family and relatives on the other side are unable to meet due to the prohibitive cost of air travel. This has resulted in people being separated from their loved ones during important life events, such as weddings and funerals.

While there have been calls from both citizens and members of parliament for the borders to be reopened, particularly with neighbouring Georgia, the Azerbaijani authorities have not provided any clearsection indication of when this might occur. The ongoing closure has had a detrimental effect on the well-being of its citizens and continues to strain relations with neighbouring countries.

All neighbouring countries have opened their land borders

The land border closures have had a significant impact on the residents of border villages, who previously relied on cross-border trade and movement for their livelihoods. Many have lost their source of income, and those with relatives on the other side of the border have been unable to see them for years.

Despite low levels of COVID-19 in the country and calls from members of parliament to open the borders, the Azerbaijani authorities have maintained the special quarantine regime, keeping the borders closed for over three and a half years. It is currently unclear when the borders will reopen.

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