Azerbaijan extends COVID-19 restrictions until June

ANKARA

Azerbaijan on Friday extended nationwide COVID-19 restrictions until June 1.

Previously, the restrictions were scheduled to end on April 1, but they have been extended in light of the increasing number of infections.

Public transport will be suspended on weekends and during the Nowruz celebrations -- a traditional nine-day holiday marking the first day of spring.

The highest rate of infection was registered in Baku with 52.9%, said the Operational Headquarters briefing.

On Thursday, authorities announced that the more dangerous UK coronavirus variant was reported in Azerbaijan.

However, the National Center of Hematology and Transfusion said the vaccine currently being used in the country was effective against new variants.

In January, Azerbaijan launched the first stage of its vaccination campaign giving jabs to health workers.

The country has recorded to date over 244,000 coronavirus cases and 3,325 deaths, while the treatment of more than 8,700 patients is ongoing.