Azerbaijan has again extended its special quarantine regime, keeping it in place until July 1, according to a government decision.

The previous deadline had been set for April 1, 2026.

The country’s land borders have remained closed since 2020, when the restrictions were introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Azerbaijan reported its first coronavirus case on February 28, 2020, and announced the quarantine regime in March that year.

While many countries have since lifted similar restrictions, Azerbaijan has continued to extend them. Authorities now mainly explain the decision with security concerns.

President Ilham Aliyev has said in several speeches that keeping land borders closed is important for security, adding that the measure has protected the country from “major disasters.”

Azerbaijan’s land borders have now been closed for six years.