June 2 – Azerbaijan has lifted the requirement for fans attending Euro 2020 matches in Baku to quarantine on arrival.
The government decision to provide the exemption for travelling fans was announced yesterday by the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA).
The AFFA is hosting four Euro 2020 games in Baku:: Wales vs Switzerland (Saturday 12 June, 15:00), Turkey vs Wales (16 June), Switzerland vs Turkey (20 June), and a quarter final (3 July).
The AFFA said that all fans can obtain a visa either upon arrival at Baku airport or on Azerbaijan’s online e-visa platform with standard visas are available online within three business days and, if required, an urgent visa can be obtained in three to five hours.
All fans are expected to comply with their own national travel guidelines and must be in possession of a match ticket when entering Azerbaijan.
“We are excited to welcome fans from the nations involved in our Euro 2020 host fixtures and have made a sensible plan to ensure those who wish to come can enjoy Baku, confident of a safe experience in our wonderful city,” said Elkhan Mammadov, Executive Vice President, AFFA. “Baku has been gearing up for months for this once in-a-lifetime showcase and I know everybody involved is committed to ensuring this a truly unforgettable celebration of football. We look forward to fans joining these celebrations in the coming weeks.”
The Baku Olympic Stadium will be at 50% capacity for the Euros (about 34,000). Fans will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result (not older than 48 hours), to be granted a quarantine exemption enabling them to move around the country freely. No further tests will be required on match days.
Covid-19 infections in Azerbaijan are low and a vaccination programme is well advanced in the country. Cases haven fallen 75% from the peak of the pandemic.
“Upon arriving in Baku, fans can look forward to safely discovering the wide range of vibrant hospitality which the city has to offer, and all bars, restaurants and hotels are open for business,” said an AFFA press release.
“The city boasts an abundance of outdoor space and restrictions such as masks in indoor public spaces are in force.” The AFFA said there will be no fan zones in order to prevent crowds gathering in close proximity.
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